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Callicarpa dichotoma x kwangtungensis is often confused with:
Callicarpa dichotoma Callicarpa dichotoma
Native alternative(s) for Callicarpa dichotoma x kwangtungensis:
Callicarpa americana Callicarpa americana in summer in Moore County
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hamamelis virginiana Leaves
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri' Full form

Callicarpa dichotoma x kwangtungensis

Previously known as:

  • Callicarpa 'NCCX2'
Phonetic Spelling
kal-ee-KAR-pah dy-KOH-toh-mah kwang-tung-EN-sis
Description

Pearl Glam™ beautyberry is an advanced hybrid between Callicarpa dichotoma and C. kwangtungensis, in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It was developed at our own NCSU Mountain Crop Improvement Lab in conjunction with Spring Meadow Nursery. Callicarpa comes from the Greek language, meaning “beautiful fruit.”

Pearl Glam beautyberry lives up to its trade name, putting on a spectacular show in the fall with glamorous, bright violet pearls adorning dark purple foliage, an upright form, and an early, prolific fruiting display.  This compact plant grows to a mature height of 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.

Grow it in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade; however, it can become leggy in too much shade. This shrub can be pruned back to 6 inches in early spring to promote compactness and encourage new wood, which supports greater blooming.  This plant is seldom damaged by deer and the seeds are not fertile so no new plants will germinate in your yard. 

A fast-growing perennial, Pearl Glam beautyberry is a lovely ornamental shrub in mass plantings, borders, and even container plantings with its display of summer flowers and fall berries.  Its colorful leaves and fruits make an interesting addition to a children's or woodland garden.  Plant it along a shrub border or walkway, it makes an excellent hedge.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Relatively insect and disease free. Some of the diseases that affect beautyberry include leaf spot and black mold.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple leaves#nectar plant#showy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#showy fruits#deer resistant#nci#children's garden#fruits fall#purple fruits#compact habit#bird friendly#winter garden#bee friendly#shrub borders#woodland garden#container plant#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple leaves#nectar plant#showy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#showy fruits#deer resistant#nci#children's garden#fruits fall#purple fruits#compact habit#bird friendly#winter garden#bee friendly#shrub borders#woodland garden#container plant#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Callicarpa
    Species:
    dichotoma × kwangtungensis
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Callicarpa as a genus are a wonderful for wildlife.  In the spring, the white flowers attract bees and other insects. The purple berries have a high moisture content and are a food source for more than 40 species of birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Very showy lilac-violet fruit 1/8" diameter ripen in September and are showy through fall leaf drop and partially into winter. Seeds are infertile.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Clusers of small pink to lavender cymes form in the leaf axils in the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Elliptic to oblong 1-3 inch leaves purple-green with dark purple veins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer