American Beautyberry
Enhance your garden with the captivating look of American Beautyberry. Its striking clusters of purple berries and lush foliage will add a pop of color to your outdoor spaces.
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Items For Added Success
Plant Height: 36-72 in.
Spread: 48-72 in.
Minimum Sunlight: Partial Shade
Maximum Sunlight: Full Sun
Adorned with clusters of purple berries that shows a gorgeous display of color while providing a valuable food source for wildlife. The seeds & berries are important foods for many species of birds and deer. The ideal addition to any eco-friendly landscape!
American beauty-berry most often grows 3-5 ft tall and wide. It can grow up to 9 ft tall in favorable soil and moisture conditions. It grows long, arching branches and yellow-green fall foliage along with clusters of glossy, iridescent-purple fruit (sometimes white) which hug the branches at leaf axils in the fall and winter.
This shrub does best in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil.
How to Care for American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry grows best in full sun to partial shade. It produces the most vibrant berries and dense foliage with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, though it tolerates some afternoon shade—especially in hot, southern climates. Too much shade may lead to fewer berries and leggier growth.
This shrub prefers moist, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. It adapts to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils, and performs well with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.0–7.0). While Beautyberry tolerates poorer soils, avoid areas that remain soggy after rainfall.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, Beautyberry is moderately drought-tolerant. Provide deep watering every 7–10 days during dry periods, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. A layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in early spring as new growth begins. You can also top-dress with compost or organic mulch to enrich the soil. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause excessive leaf growth and fewer berries.
Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. Cut back the stems to about 12–18 inches from the ground to encourage vigorous new growth and abundant berry clusters in fall. Remove any dead or crossing branches to improve shape and airflow.
American Beautyberry is remarkably pest- and disease-resistant, but it may occasionally attract aphids or spider mites. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. Ensuring proper spacing, good airflow, and well-drained conditions helps prevent most problems.
Yes—American Beautyberry is frost-tolerant and cold-hardy in zones 6–10. It can survive light freezes, though severe frost may cause dieback to the ground. In cold regions, mulch heavily around the base in late fall to protect roots and promote healthy regrowth in spring.