American beautyberry shrubs (Callicarpa americana) bloom in late summer, and although the flowers aren’t much to look at, the jewel-like, purple or white berries are dazzling. The fall foliage is an attractive yellow or chartreuse color. These 3- to 8-foot shrubs work well in borders, and you’ll also enjoy growing American beautyberries as specimen plants. The berries last several weeks after the leaves drop – If the birds don’t eat them all.

Beautyberries live up to their common name, which comes from the botanical name Callicarpa, meaning beautiful fruit. Also called the American mulberry, beautyberries are native American shrubs that grow wild in woodland areas in Southeastern states. Other types of beautyberries include the Asian species: Japanese beautyberry (C. japonica), Chinese purple beautyberry (C. dichotoma), and another Chinese species, C. bodinieri, which is cold hardy to USDA zone 5.

Beautyberry shrubs reseed themselves readily, and the Asian species are considered invasive in some areas. You can easily grow these shrubs from seeds. Collect the seeds from very ripe berries and grow them in individual containers. Keep them protected for the first year, and plant them outdoors the following winter.