American beautyberry

The purple fall fruits of American beautyberry.

* Common name: American beautyberry

* Botanical name: Callicarpa americana

* What it is: A native flowering shrub that gets tiny pink flowers in summer and then clusters of unusually-colored metallic purple berries in fall. Plant is multi-stemmed with an arching habit.

* Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and wide.

* Where to use: Looks especially good in groups of at least three as an informal hedge or border shrub. Also can be used alone as a specimen in any mixed garden and is durable enough to compete with tree roots under large trees. Full sun to part shade.

* Care: Improve soil with compost before planting. Keep well watered the first year until roots establish, then water needed only in bad droughts. Cut all shoots down to a few inches at end of winter for more compact growth. Annual spring scattering of granular organic fertilizer such as Flower-tone is optional.

* Great partner: Pink-flowering lamium such as ‘Pink Chablis’ or ‘Shell Pink’ makes a good underplanting in part-shade settings.