Callicarpa japonica
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Amictonis japonica
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ee-KAR-puh jah-PON-ih-kah
- Description
-
The Japanese Beautyberry is a moderate-sized, rounded, deciduous shrub with slender, arching branches. It grows to 4-6 feet tall, and it is perhaps a better species for residential landscapes. The American Beautyberry is larger and may grow to 8 feet tall.
The Japanese Beautyberry is a native of China and East Asia. It was introduced to western cultivation in 1845. It was cultivated in Denmark in 1916, and it has also been introduced in the State of North Carolina. The genus, Callicarpa, is Greek and means beautiful fruit. The species name, Japonica, means of Japan. It is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family.
The leaves are a medium green and turn greenish-yellow with a purplish cast in the fall before leaf drop. Clusters of pinkish-white flowers bloom in June on new wood, Beautiful glossy violet-purple berries emerge late summer. They are more prominent in October when not obscured by the foliage. Birds are attracted to the fruits as a food source.
They prefer full sun and will become leggy if planted in the shade. Well-drained soil is recommended, and the shrub is somewhat drought tolerant. Cross-pollination and improved fruit production may occur if they are planted in groups or mass plantings. It is recommended to prune old stems in late winter or early spring.
In Japan, the plant stems are used as chopsticks. The Japanese Beautyberry is mostly used in the garden for its colorful ornamental berries. When planted 4 to 5 feet apart, they form a nice border.
Cultivars are available, and some produce white berries and others have narrower leaves.
They have no serious insect or disease problems, but they may be susceptible to leaf spots, stem diseases, and black mold.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Augustata'
Narrow leaves - 'Leucocarpa'
White berries and light green leaves - 'Luxurians'
Large shrub and large fruit
- 'Augustata'
- 'Augustata', 'Leucocarpa', 'Luxurians'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Augustata'
Narrow leaves - 'Leucocarpa'
White berries and light green leaves - 'Luxurians'
Large shrub and large fruit
- 'Augustata'
- 'Augustata', 'Leucocarpa', 'Luxurians'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callicarpa
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In Japan, the plant stems are used for chopsticks.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and East Asia
- Distribution:
- China Northcentral, China Southcentral, Chinasoutheast, Japan, Korea Nansei-Shoto, Taiwan, and introduced in the United States in North Carolina and Denmark
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers. The berries are a food source for birds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are clusters of showy violet-colored berries that appear in the fall. Each berry measures 1/16 inch in diameter. The fruits are very prominent after the leaves drop. This showy fruit is a good source of food for birds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are 1 to 1.5-inch clusters of pinkish-white blossoms that appear on the new wood of the shrub. They are usually obscured by the foliage and typically bloom in June through July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are medium-green in color, elliptic to ovate in shape, simple, and appear opposite in arrangement. The leaf is smooth with a pointed tip, and the margins are serrated. They measure 2 to 5 inches long and are 1.5 to 2 inches wide. In the fall, the leaves' color changes to yellow-green with a purplish tint before leaf drop.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth with circular lenticels and is grayish-brown in color.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Bud Scales:
- No scales, covered in hair
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender and green. Young shoots have star-shaped hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
