A mature American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Mass planting · Specimen · Container · Naturalized · Pond · Riparian · Butterfly

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana · Shrub

American Beautyberry is a moderate-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 6-12, that matures to about 3–6 ft × 3–6 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect blue, pink and purple blooms in summer. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 6-12
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 3–6 ft × 3–6 ft
Spacing: 3–6 ft
Growth rate: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Foliage: Green
Bloom color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White
Bloom season: Summer
Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Heat, Rabbits, Wet soil
Native to: Southeastern United States

Will it survive your winters?

We score American Beautyberry’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10 · Zone 11