Overview
Callicarpa is a bushy shrubs in the genus Callicarpa, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Callicarpa grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Alabama, Andaman Is., Arkansas, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Himalaya, Ecuador, Florida, Georgia, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kentucky, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Madagascar, Malaya, Maluku, Manchuria, Marianas, Maryland, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Mississippi, Missouri, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, New South Wales, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., North Carolina, Northern Territory, Ogasawara-shoto, Oklahoma, Pakistan, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Solomon Is., South Carolina, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Tibet, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virginia, West Himalaya and Western Australia.
About
Callicarpa is a deciduous, well-branched shrub in the Lamiaceae grown for its clusters of small flowers and persistent berries. It flowers from August to October, producing white to pink or light purple blooms. The fruit form highly conspicuous clusters that remain on bare stems into winter. It suits full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sand in sheltered positions.
About the genus
Callicarpa (beautyberry) Commonly known as beautyberry, is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Lamiaceae. They are native to east and southeast Asia, Australia, Madagascar, south-eastern North America and South America.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Callicarpa
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Callicarpa size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Alabama, Andaman Is., Arkansas, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Himalaya, Ecuador, Florida, Georgia, Guatemala, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kentucky, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Madagascar, Malaya, Maluku, Manchuria, Marianas, Maryland, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Mississippi, Missouri, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, New South Wales, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., North Carolina, Northern Territory, Ogasawara-shoto, Oklahoma, Pakistan, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Solomon Is., South Carolina, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Tibet, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virginia, West Himalaya, Western Australia
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Callicarpa
- Propagation
- Seed, Softwood cuttings in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Callicarpa?
Callicarpa prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Callicarpa need?
Callicarpa is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Callicarpa hardy in the UK?
Callicarpa has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Callicarpa?
Seed, Softwood cuttings in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer.
