By Melanie Brewer

As September begins, I think my pollinator and shade gardens look a little weary and worn as summer merges into autumn. Bee balm, coneflower, salvia, phlox, black-eyed susan, and hardy hibiscus have spent blooms and tattered foliage, as well as the hydrangeas, hostas, coral bells, and ferns. Then I notice the goldenrod and asters just beginning to flourish. A variety of bees are feasting on agastache. Buddleias are full of blooms providing for butterflies. There’s still life in my gardens! And there’s my American beautyberry. I’ve waited all summer for its crowning moment.

Although it is native to the southeastern US, I first saw an American beautyberry only four years ago. The American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a woody, deciduous, perennial shrub that establishes quickly, requires little maintenance, and is beneficial to wildlife. In spring the leaves slowly appear, followed by clusters of tiny buds. By midsummer, the buds have opened into small pale pink flowers which turn into green berries by late summer. The magic begins in September when the berries ripen to a vibrant magenta. The shrub’s arching branches and sprawling shape become stunning when full of beautiful berry clusters. Berries may last through early winter and are a good food source for songbirds.

Keeping in mind “right plant for right place,” the beautyberry prefers part shade to full sun (mine is happy in part shade.) It will grow 3’-8’ tall and 3’-5’ wide in all types of soil provided it has good drainage. Consider using it as an accent plant, at the back of flower beds, or along woodland edges. It may also be used as mass planting in large spaces. Pruning may be done in late winter. It has no significant insect or disease problems. It can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings. Learn more at plants.ces.ncsu.edu