November 01, 2008

Think Pink!

mature beautyberry in my sister’s yard in South Carolina

During the fall we traditionally think of the usual seasonal colors of orange, bronze, and yellow. But let’s expand our horizons and think pink, bright pink to be more specific – the bright pink of the fruit of the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana).  A gardener friend once described beautyberry fruit as the color of a cheap pink lipstick. Although that seemed to be a rather unkind remark, that description was on target.

Beautyberry is a deciduous woody ornamental shrub that will grow in full sun to part shade; it does require watering as I found out when mine died from not enough water. Other than requiring water during the growing season, beautyberry bushes seem to be fairly undemanding being untroubled by insects or diseases. Reaching about six feet in height and five feet around, it needs ample room in the landscape (as you can see from my photograph of a mature beautyberry). Beautyberry makes a nice plant for a woodland garden but it also makes a great border. (There is a lovely border of beautyberry bushes at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.) As the brightly colored fall berries and the summer blooms (little tiny purple flowers) appear on the current season’s growth, prune in late winter about the time you prune your butterfly bushes. Beautyberry bushes can be pruned like nandina, removing a third of the oldest canes;  the whole thing can even be cut to the ground – which is something I was never brave enough to do. Since much of the beauty from this shrub, however, comes from its arching branches, place it in a spot where you don’t need to take a pruner to keep it in bounds.

As you stroll the garden shop aisles, think pink! Bright pink in the garden provides just the right accent next to the wonderful shades of autumn. As I have said before, try it ‘n you’ll like it. 

(Some information to write this blog was obtained from THE SOUTHERN LIVING GARDEN BOOK)