Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion')
Discover Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion' (Beautyberry), a low-maintenance deciduous shrub famous for stunning violet-purple fall fruits.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
When late summer fades, the Beautyberry shrub transforms into a garden centerpiece, primarily celebrated for its unparalleled autumn display. The specific cultivar, Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’, is prized for producing abundant clusters of brilliant, bead-like, violet-purple fruit clustered tightly along the stems. This deciduous shrub offers great year-round structure, developing dark green foliage in summer that eventually turns a lovely golden-purple before leaf drop.
Native to China, this variety, Callicarpa bodinieri var. Giraldii ‘Profusion’, is easily integrated into temperate landscapes, thriving in average conditions with low maintenance demands. Its ornamental value peaks in the fall and early winter when the persistent, showy fruit catches the light, providing crucial late-season visual interest. While it produces delicate lavender flowers in mid-summer, gardeners choose this Beautyberry mainly for the fruit that follows.
For the best performance, ensure adequate sunlight exposure to maximize both flowering and the subsequent fruit set. Planting multiple shrubs together is recommended to ensure excellent cross-pollination, which leads to the spectacular berry coverage that makes the Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ so famous among horticulturalists.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Lavender
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Beautyberry during the spring or fall, avoiding the stress of summer planting. It prefers average, well-drained soil and performs best when situated in full sun, though it tolerates light afternoon shade. Remember that excessive shade will often result in leggy growth and reduced flowering and fruiting potential.
Watering should be consistent, particularly for young plants, maintaining medium moisture levels in the soil. Once established, this low-maintenance shrub handles average moisture well, reflecting its hardy nature in Zones 6 through 8. Fertilization is rarely necessary unless the soil is severely poor.
Pruning, if required, should be done in early spring before new growth begins, as flowers bloom reliably only on wood produced during the current season. For gardeners in the cooler northern edges of its range (Zone 5), consider planting it in a protected site or treating it as a perennial, cutting stems back to about 6 inches late in winter. Mass planting or grouping ensures superb cross-pollination, dramatically improving the final fruit display of your Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’.
Landscape Uses
The vibrant fall and winter impact of Beautyberry makes it an excellent candidate for mass plantings or as an informal hedge where its unique structure can be appreciated. This shrub excels near borders, providing a visual stop against evergreen backdrops, or as an underplanting beneath the canopy of open woodland areas. For maximum fruit display, group several Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ shrubs together to optimize pollination success.
To create a striking late-season color composition, pair this plant with other berry-producing shrubs. For example, interplanting with Ilex verticillata (which offers bright red berries) or Pyracantha with its orange fruit creates a colorful tapestry of fall color that lasts well into winter. Furthermore, the berry-laden stems of the Beautyberry are excellent for cutting and including in late-season floral arrangements indoors.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Callicarpa is derived from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit.” ‘Profusion’ specifically is recognized as a highly fruitful cultivar, often displaying 30-40 violet fruits per cluster. These glossy, violet-purple fruits mature in September and remain stubbornly attractive on the branches even after the foliage has turned its golden-purple autumn color.
Tolerances
- None listed
Potential Problems
While generally robust, winter dieback can occasionally occur in the colder limits of its hardiness range (Zone 6), though this damage usually does not impact the shrub’s ability to produce fruit that following year. Gardeners should monitor for minor susceptibility to common issues such as leaf spot, certain stem diseases, or black mold. Ensuring good air circulation and vigilant pruning of diseased or damaged wood in the spring helps minimize these horticultural problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Beautyberry suitable for?
Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ is typically suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8.
How large does Beautyberry grow?
This deciduous shrub generally reaches a mature height between 4 and 6 feet, with a similar spread of 4 to 6 feet.
What sun exposure does Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ need?
This plant prefers full sun to part shade; best flowering and fruiting occur with more sun exposure.
When does Beautyberry bloom?
The flowers appear in summer, typically blooming from June to August, followed by the characteristic fruit display.
Conclusion
The Beautyberry, particularly the cultivar Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’, provides unbeatable ornamental value when most shrubs are fading, thanks to its stunning mass of violet-purple fruit. Its low maintenance needs and adaptability across Zones 6-8 make it a practical choice for structure and late-season color. Check your local climate zone and include this unique shrub in your fall garden plan.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for your Beautyberry, focus on plants that complement its mid-to-late season color show or share similar cultural preferences for sun and soil drainage. Consider utilizing its dark green summer foliage as a backdrop for chartreuse or silver-leaved plants that provide contrast throughout the warmer months. Since the ultimate goal is the persistent fall fruit, pairing it with shrubs focused on red or orange berries, such as various deciduous hollies (Ilex verticillata) or Cotoneaster species, creates a vibrant, multi-hued autumn display.
Ensure that all companion plants also thrive in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, as this is the ideal condition for the Callicarpa bodinieri var. Giraldii ‘Profusion’. Avoid areas with consistently wet feet, as poor drainage negatively impacts most deciduous shrubs.
Wildlife Benefits
While the showy fruit of the Beautyberry is striking to human eyes, it also serves a vital role in supporting local avian populations. Though the berries are not a preferred food source early in the season, they become an important late-autumn and early-winter forage option for various songbirds after primary food sources have diminished or been depleted by frost. Planting clusters of this shrub creates substantial visual hedging and provides valuable shelter cover for smaller birds navigating colder months.
Because the blooms occur throughout the middle of summer (June to August), the flowers offer a reliable source of nectar when many spring bloomers have finished their cycle. While not a primary pollinator magnet like specialized natives, these lavender flowers still contribute necessary resources to bees and butterflies active during the peak heat of the season, supporting localized insect populations.
