Callicarpa japonica Leucocarpa

Callicarpa japonica 'Leucocarpa' is an original and unusual bush, very decorative, of medium size, forming a pretty dense and compact bush. Of great refinement, graceful and naturally elegant, it displays in autumn, not only splendid foliage colours, but also and above all, a profusion of clusters of ivory white berries, like pearls, persisting all winter on the bare branches. Too little known, it is to be adopted without delay in the garden for its attractive and bright fruiting!

Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, this white Japanese Callicarpa, also called Candy Tree, is a beautiful ornamental bush, with moderate growth, with long elegantly arched and slightly drooping branches, measuring 1.50in all directions. This Asian bush is native to China, Korea, and Japan. Its deciduous foliage is composed of thin leaves 8 to 12cm (4.7in) long, oval to lanceolate, pale green, taking superb gradients of gold, purple, and bronze in autumn. From August to September, tiny pale pinkish-white flowers appear in axillary clusters measuring 3cm (1.2in) in diameter. They are followed in autumn by clusters of spherical waxy ivory white berries, resembling small beads or pearls. These remain very decorative for a long time, as they persist all winter, even after the leaves have fallen. The berries are not edible, as they have very astringent properties. To obtain abundant flowering and fruiting, it is advisable to plant several subjects close to each other, in order to ensure better pollination.

This Japanese Callicarpa, very easy to grow, requires little maintenance. Very accommodating, it is content with ordinary to fertile, well-drained soil, and appreciates a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. It can be planted in isolation where its fruiting and magnificent autumn foliage will be highlighted. However, it is rather advisable to plant it in groups as the proximity of several subjects ensures better pollination and therefore more abundant fruiting. It will ideally be placed in a country hedge, or within a shrub bed, in the company of shrubs with autumn or winter flowering; or even associated with perennials with late summer or winter flowering. It will harmonize perfectly with other attractive fruit-bearing shrubs, such as other species of Callicarpa, Euonymus, Symphoricarpos... Its branches with very decorative berries will make superb bouquets of autumn foliage and branches, and will also wonderfully garnish flower bouquets in the house.

The Callicarpa genus was first described in 1753 by the Swedish naturalist Carl von Linnaeus (1707-1778). The specific epithet 'Leucocarpa' means in Greek, white fruit, alluding to the white fruiting of this Candy Tree.