What hardiness zones is Callicarpa bodinieri suitable for?

Callicarpa bodinieri is beautyberry (Bodinier's beautyberry), a deciduous shrub growing 4-6 feet (120-180 cm) tall and 4-6 feet (120-180 cm) wide. Violet-purple berry clusters densely packed in axillary groups along the stems — each berry 0.25 inch (6 mm). The berries develop in September-October and are most visible after leaf drop, persisting into December. Lilac-pink tiny flowers 0.1 inch (3 mm) in dense axillary cymes in July. Medium green elliptic leaves 3-5 inches (7-13 cm), turning yellow to lilac-pink in fall. In Lamiaceae (the mint family — reclassified from Verbenaceae). Native to central and western China. Cross-pollination improves berry set — plant 2-3 shrubs within 15 feet (4.5 m) of each other. Without cross-pollination, berry production is reduced. This pollination requirement is the primary limitation for isolated plantings. In zones 5-6 the stems may die back to the ground in winter — the shrub regrows from the roots and fruits on new wood. Blooms and fruits on current season's growth. The berry display period is limited to 6-8 weeks before the berries shrivel. Birds consume the berries in late fall. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to central and western China — Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, and adjacent provinces. Found on forest margins and thickets.

Suggested Uses

Grown in shrub borders, woodland edges, and mass plantings of 2-3 shrubs spaced 4-6 feet (120-180 cm) for cross-pollination. Violet-purple fall-winter berries. Plant where the bare-stemmed berry display is visible from windows or walkways. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

How to Identify

Identified by dense clusters of violet-purple berries along the stems after leaf drop in fall on a medium deciduous shrub. The violet-purple berry color is diagnostic — no other common garden shrub has this color fruit. Distinguished from C. americana (American beautyberry — magenta-purple berries, larger leaves, native to southeastern US) by the smaller leaves and the violet (vs. magenta) berry tone. In Lamiaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Midsummer (July). Lilac-pink tiny flowers 0.1 inch (3 mm) in dense axillary cymes along the stems. 3 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated. Violet-purple berries develop September-October and persist after leaf drop into December.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lilac-pink, tiny, 0.1 inch (3 mm), in dense axillary cymes along the stems

Foliage Description

Medium green, elliptic, 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) long with serrated margins; turns yellow to lilac-pink in fall before leaf drop — the lilac-pink fall color is unusual among deciduous shrubs

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

loam clay sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (3-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Plant 2-3 shrubs within 15 feet (4.5 m) for cross-pollination and improved berry set. Cut back hard to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in early spring (February-March) — fruits on new wood. In zones 5-6 stems may die back in winter. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

Pruning

Cut back hard to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in early spring (February-March) before new growth. Blooms and fruits on current season's wood — hard pruning does not reduce berry production. Hard pruning keeps the berry clusters at eye level on a compact 4-5 foot (120-150 cm) shrub rather than on a leggy open frame.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic