American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana

Some berry groups are shown against my hand to indicate the size of the clusters.

Hard not to love this pic!

Wow, they look fake. Congratulations on growing such a fine plant!

kell, these are such a great color and are in such large clusters on very long numerous branches that the plant looks quite magnificent. Thanks for your comment.

kell, these are such a great color and are in such large clusters on very long numerous branches that the plant looks quite magnificent. Thanks for your comment.

Toxicohedron, I wish this was one of mine! It is in a yard near my Mother's house that is planted in almost all native plants. This very large specimen is so beautiful that I stayed for a long time just admiring the colors of the berries. Thanks for your comment.

I think you should snip snip! LOL. I can imagine these in a floral arrangement. Just stunning!

Is this what is also known as poke weed or poke berry?
When I lived in SC we could find something like this growing wild and the leaves could be eaten after cooking, but only the new tender shoots.......I was told the more mature leaves would turn poisonous....

Those are gorgeous. I might have to get one of those. Any idea how hard and fast that acidic soil requirement is?

kell, the berries retain their color a very long time and are used in arrangements so you have a great idea there.

foodiesleuth, this is not pokeweed or pokeberry, but thanks for asking. Here is a photo of one of those plants:

http://www.swsbm.com/Images/New5-28/Phytolacca_americana-3.jpg

Kelli, I have seen these growing in nonacidic soil. They are supposed to be very adaptable even to low fertility soils. Thanks for your comments.

I saw these last fall in the garden center where I frequent and they are a little pricey. But one of these days I will spring for one; they really are beautiful.

htop,
Do you know how old it is? I just planted a small one 2 weeks ago. I have berries but they aren't as big as yours. Can you get a picture of the whole plant? Would love to see it!
Terrie

Hazel, I have two of these and they are completely covered in clusters of berries. They are approximately 6 years old. and they are at least 8 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide. I have them planted in morning sun and afternoon shade and they have been extremely hardy. They are planted next to a fence and they have completely grown over it and reach the ground on the other side. Great plants!

Lenjo, I think that they are well worth the money. You may want to check to see if they are on sale now. Most of the plants at the nurseriea here are 40% or more off.

Terrie, I will post the photo of the whole plant. I have no idea how old it is, but it is at least 5 years old.

Clantonnaomi, yours sounds about the size this one is. I am sure you can hardly wait each year for the berries to form.

Thank you all for your comments.

Oh -- my -- gosh! I think I may be moving my plant. Really had no idea they got THAT big!

Terrie, there are other types of Beautyberry that do not grow this large. Are the berries on your plant thesame color as the ones on the one I posted?

Callicarpa dichotoma grows to about 4 feet and has smaller, deeper colored berries and smaller leaves:

http://www.pottedliners.com/pic_calaearly.htm

The berries on mine are actually a lighter purple than the ones in your first picture. This may be due to fading, though, since I don't know how long the berries have been on it. I'm going to look at the tag tonight to see if it specifies what type it is. Thanks!

Here is the whole plant:

That is beautiful. Thank you so much for posting -- it is the only picture I have seen of the full plant. (I think I'm gonna have to move mine - LOL)
Terrie

Terrie, I just spoke with Dan at my favorite nursery here. He said that the chinese beauty berry can grow quite large too. Now I will have to check the leaves on the plant of which I posted photos. He said that the American Beautyberry has fuzziness on the bottom side of the leaves, but the Chinese Beautyberry does not. I am learning a lot about Beautyberries! The berries on the one I posted start out green and progress to a lavenderish color and then turn that nice darker color in the photo as they age. So yours may not be fully mature yet.

I think you may be right. I got home too late last night to check the tag but I plan to do that as soon as I get in tonight. Thanks for all the info!