What hardiness zones is Callicarpa-bodinieri suitable for?

Callicarpa-bodinieri is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Callicarpa-bodinieri?

Callicarpa-bodinieri requires Part Sun.

How much water does Callicarpa-bodinieri need?

Callicarpa-bodinieri has Medium water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Callicarpa bodinieri

beautyberry

LamiaceaeCentral and western China

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-6 feet (120-180 cm)

Width4-6 feet (120-180 cm)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Maintenancelow

Overview

Callicarpa bodinieri (Bodinier's beautyberry) is a deciduous shrub native to central and western China, grown primarily for one of the most vivid berry displays of any hardy shrub: dense clusters of brilliant violet-purple berries 0.2 inch (5 mm) in diameter that stud the bare stems in tight whorls at each leaf node from October through December. No other common landscape plant produces berries in this particular electric purple-violet color. The cultivar 'Profusion' (technically var. giraldii 'Profusion') is the most widely grown form in PNW trade, selected for particularly heavy and reliable berry production. The shrub reaches 4–6 feet (120–180 cm) tall and wide with a slightly arching, somewhat coarse habit; stems are downy. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long, with finely serrated margins, medium green turning yellow-pink-lilac in fall before dropping to reveal the full berry display. In July, small lilac-pink flowers in axillary clusters are produced — modest in display but necessary for berry development. For the heaviest berry set, plant at least two specimens for cross-pollination, or plant in a group; 'Profusion' may set berries with a single plant but production is improved with a partner. Note: the database scientific name for this record (ID 288) is formatted with hyphens ('Callicarpa-bodinieri'); the correct spelling is Callicarpa bodinieri.

Native Range

Native to central and western China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hubei provinces) in forest understory, forest margins, and scrubby hillsides. Introduced to Western horticulture in the early 20th century.

Suggested Uses

Planted for its exceptional fall and early winter berry display — the violet-purple berries on bare stems in November are unlike any other PNW landscape plant. Effective in mixed shrub borders where the summer display is supplemented by neighbors; most impactful after leaf drop. Mass planting of three or more plants maximizes berry production through cross-pollination and creates a more dramatic display. Cut stems with berries make outstanding floral arrangements. Works well at woodland edges and in naturalistic gardens. Berries are not toxic to humans; birds consume them but find them less palatable than other berries, extending the display.

How to Identify

Identified most reliably in fall and early winter by the dense clusters of brilliant violet-purple berries 0.2 inch (5 mm) in diameter arranged in tight whorls at each leaf node along the bare stems — the color is a distinctive electric violet-purple unlike any other common hardy shrub berry. In summer, the somewhat coarse arching habit, downy stems, and elliptic to ovate leaves 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long with finely serrated margins are characteristic. Small lilac-pink axillary flower clusters in July. Distinguished from Callicarpa japonica (Japanese beautyberry) by larger size and typically more abundant berry clusters; from Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) by smaller berries in tighter, more regular nodes and by hardiness.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

pink

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Blooms in July with small lilac-pink to purple axillary flower clusters. The flower display is modest and not the primary ornamental feature. Berries develop through late summer and ripen to brilliant violet-purple in October, persisting through November and into December before dropping; the berry display on bare stems is the primary ornamental feature and most effective after leaf drop.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

lilac-pink

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; yellow to lilac-pink in fall before drop

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Best berry production occurs in full sun. Tolerates a range of soil types; avoid waterlogged conditions. Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought-tolerant once established. For heaviest berry set, plant two or more individuals of the same or different cultivars for cross-pollination. In the PNW, this shrub is generally trouble-free. The somewhat coarse habit can be improved by cutting the whole plant back to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) from the ground every few years in late winter, which produces vigorous new stems with excellent berry production.

Pruning

Prune hard in late winter or early spring (February through March) — cut all stems back to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) from the ground. This annual or biennial hard pruning produces the most vigorous new growth with the heaviest berry set on the current season's stems. If renovation pruning seems too extreme, a lighter approach is to remove one-third of the oldest stems at the base each year. Remove dead or damaged stems as needed. Berries form on the current year's growth, so late-winter hard pruning does not reduce fruit production.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic