Callicarpa dichotoma aka Purple Beauty Berry

Callicarpa dichotoma, or purple beautyberry, belongs to the mint family. This woody shrub sheds its leaves for winter. It comes from China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Its range also includes Japan's Nansei islands. People have introduced it to Taiwan and parts of the United States. Gardeners grow it chiefly for its purple autumn fruit.

The shrub grows fast and forms a rounded mound. Garden plants reach 2–5 feet [0.6–1.5 metres] in height. Their spread can reach 5 feet [1.5 metres]. Oregon State reports occasional plants reaching 6 feet [1.8 metres]. Long, thin branches arch down and may touch the ground. Young stems have a red tint; bark is gray-brown. Green leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Each leaf is simple, oval, and edged with teeth. Young leaves bear star-shaped hairs. Older leaves have yellow glandular hairs along their edges. The leaves turn yellow before they fall.

Small pink to lavender flowers open from June through August. They form cymes where leaves meet the new stems. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers and help pollinate them. Groups of shrubs give better cross-pollination and more fruit. Small, round berries turn lilac-purple as they ripen in September. The fruit display lasts through October and past leaf fall. Some berries remain into early winter, but not much longer. Birds and small mammals eat the fruit. RHS warns that people and pets should not eat it.

Give this shrub sun and soil that drains well. It also grows in part shade, but shade can weaken its form. Full sun gives the strongest flower and fruit display. It accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. Average soil moisture suits it, with some drought tolerance once established. It grows in USDA zones 5–8 and has RHS rating H6. Cold winters may kill stems back to ground level. New shoots can grow from the roots in spring. Flowers form on new growth, so winter damage need not prevent fruiting. Prune in late winter or early spring to keep growth compact.

Use purple beautyberry in borders, hedges, or groups beneath open woodland. Its small size also suits pots and patio gardens. The fruit adds autumn color and feeds garden wildlife. Deer seldom damage the shrub, and care needs are low. Pests cause few problems, according to RHS. Leaf spot, stem disease, and black mold can occur. RHS also notes a small risk of honey fungus.