American beautyberry: when to plant and care
Native; cut back in late winter, since it blooms on new wood.
| Botanical name | Callicarpa americana |
|---|---|
| Type | shrub |
| USDA zones | 6–10 |
| Sun | sun to part shade |
| Water | low-moderate |
| Bloom | summer (purple berries in fall) |
| Mature size | 4–6 ft |
| Planting time | Fall (preferred in the South and transition zone) or early spring |
Cool weather and warm soil let roots grow before summer heat; plant in spring in the coldest zones.
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | spring: Feb 24–Apr 21; fall: Sep 22–Dec 1 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | spring: Mar 10–May 5; fall: Sep 13–Nov 22 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | spring: Mar 18–May 13; fall: Sep 9–Nov 18 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | spring: Mar 27–May 22; fall: Sep 10–Nov 19 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | spring: Apr 16–Jun 11; fall: Aug 17–Oct 26 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | spring: Feb 27–Apr 24; fall: Sep 22–Dec 1 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
Pruning: when to prune.
State plant programs
- Selected by the Texas Superstar® program (Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension), listed as “American Beautyberry”
“Texas Superstar” is a registered trademark of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Use ® on first mention, no logo, not in our titles/domain/brand. Phrase as “selected as a Texas Superstar® plant by Texas A&M AgriLife.” YardThisWeek is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by these programs. See state plant programs.
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Sources
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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