Callicarpa americana - American beautyberry

Height: to 8’
Spread: 6’+
Light Needs: full sun to part shade
Water: average
Flower color: Lavender
Bloom time: June to August

This is a very easy, fast-growing deciduous shrub. It is best known for its clusters of bright purple fruits in fall and winter. While a large specimen full of purple fruits makes a impressive specimen, its size can be managed by cutting it back in late winter or early spring after birds have removed the last of the fruits. In nature, it sprouts back after wildfires burn it to the ground. In a similar way, it is possible to prune this plant very hard to keep it short. Since it flowers on new growth, hard pruning in late winter will not interfere with its fruit production. Larvae of spring azure butterfly, rustic sphinx, snowberry clearwing and other moths feed on the leaves. Bees are its primary pollinators. The fruits are eaten by a wide variety of birds and other small animals. Deer may browse on this plant but an established plant will recover quickly. Studies show that rubbing its leaves on your skin will repel mosquitoes.