American Beautyberry

Beautyberry for Bold, Easy Color

The American Beautyberry is a deciduous perennial shrub that’s versatile and changes in appearance throughout the year. In April, bright green, toothed foliage will appear; in July, you’ll enjoy small white and pink flower clusters and in September, bright, iridescent purple berries are produced, continuing through November for a color and interest show.

While these bright, plump berries aren’t the tastiest eaten straight from the plant, they’re delicious when used in jellies and wines. Plus, wildlife will go gaga over these berries, attracting various birds and deer and creating a lively backyard spectacle.

And while certain animals will be attracted, the American Beautyberry is known to deter mosquitos and other unpleasant biting bugs like fire ants. Simply grab a few of this plant’s leaves, crush them into your hands and rub them on your skin to keep the bugs at bay. How cool is that?

What’s more is that this shrub is heat tolerant, surviving some of the harshest droughts, disease resistant, and versatile for many landscape uses. Add this beauty as a standalone planting, to a mixed border, into containers, or as a mass planting to create a vivid color display. Simply plant this low-maintenance pick into any space and watch it thrive!

Get your hands on the vibrant American Beautyberry—you’ll be quickly enjoying the many benefits it has to offer your garden!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: You can plant in the spring or fall. You should plant your American Beautyberry in an area with light shade. If you’re planting multiple bushes, they should be spaced 4’ to 6’ apart to allow plenty of room for growth.

Place the tree in a hole that’s only as deep as the root and 2-3 times as wide. You should fill the hole half-way with soil, then water it and wait for it to drain before filling it with the rest of the soil.

2. Watering: These shrubs do well in most types of soil conditions but grow best in moist soil. Beautyberry bushes are drought tolerant, but in cases of extreme drought, should be watered. They need about an inch of rain per week.

3. Pruning: We recommend you prune once in the fall, and again right before new growth begins in the spring. Then watch them take off!