Callicarpa japonica

The Callicarpa japonica, also known as the Japanese candy bush, is a medium-sized Asian bush that will charm with its arched, almost trailing habit, beautiful autumn foliage, and decorative fruiting that takes the form of lovely pink-purple and shiny berries that will last until winter. A different callicarpa, perfect for milder areas, in good garden soil retaining freshness.

The Callicarpa japonica, sometimes called the Japanese Callicarpa, belongs to the family of Verbenaceae, just like verbena and caryopteris. It is native to Japan and Korea and was introduced to Europe in 1845. A close relative of the species called bodinierii, more commonly planted in our gardens, it is slightly less cold-resistant (down to -10/-12°C (14/10.4 °F)), especially if it does not have a long, warm summer that facilitates the formation of wood on its branches. However, a short pruning of the frozen branches in spring will allow it to regenerate from its stump.

Not exceeding 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) in all directions, this bushy bush, as wide as it is tall, develops arched branches that give it a unique, harmonious, fountain-like habit. The deciduous foliage is composed of entire, narrow leaves, 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in) long, with finely toothed edges and ending at a long point. Their spring colour is a very light green, taking on different shades of yellow, orange, and purple at the end of the season. Flowering occurs in August, in the form of tiny, very pale flowers, grouped in axillary cymes reaching 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter. The fruiting, in small drupes of pink-purple (5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) in diameter), particularly colourful November, will be even more abundant if several callicarpas are planted close to each other. These berries are not consumed by birds and remain on the bush for a long time after the leaves have fallen.

The Callicarpa japonica can be used as a standalone plant in a small garden, or in a flower bed or even in a countryside hedge, mixed with other berry-bearing plants such as symphorines, mahonias, or holly, for example. Quite discreet in spring and summer, this callicarpa will benefit from being planted with lilacs, deutzias, or mock oranges at their peak in late spring. To brighten up the winter, also consider witch hazels, which bloom in January-February. Planted alongside a Callicarpa with purple fruits looks glorious as the berries will complement each other perfectly. Imagine a beautiful scene of moist soil surrounded by plants, including Callicarpa, Lysimachia clethroides, hostas, and ferns.