Bodinier's beautyberry
Callicarpa bodinieri · Lamiaceae
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bodinier's beautyberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to August, small pink-lilac flowers
- Mature size
- 150 cm tall, bushy habit
- Fruits
- Very decorative purple-mauve berries in autumn
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to -15°C
- Growth
- Moderate
- Origin
- China
- Soil type
- Well-drained soil, rich in organic matter
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Prune lightly after flowering and keep the decorative berries in place throughout winter.
The common mistake
Cutting too short or too late removes the flowers and then the autumn berries.
The pro's trick
Plant several compatible specimens nearby to improve fruiting.
Seasonal watch
In dry autumn, water occasionally to support the berries' color development.
Care
Exposure
Plant your callicarpa in full sun to get generous flowering and intense berry color. A south or west-facing location is ideal. It tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers and fruits.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to encourage rooting. After that, moderate watering is sufficient: keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. During dry spells, increase watering frequency to prevent drying out.
Soil and planting
Choose well-drained soil enriched with compost or potting soil. Callicarpa likes neutral to slightly acidic soils. Avoid compacted soils and areas where water stagnates in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly in spring (March-April) to maintain a bushy shape. Remove dead or weak branches. Avoid heavy pruning as it reduces flowering. Callicarpa fruits on the previous year's wood.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. You can enrich the soil in autumn with well-rotted compost. Excessive nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers and fruits.
Pests and diseases
Callicarpa is generally hardy against common diseases. Watch for spider mites if there's prolonged drought. Excess moisture can encourage fungal problems: ensure good air circulation.
Did you know?
Callicarpa bodinieri gets its name from Adrien Bodinier, a 19th-century French botanist and missionary who discovered it in China. Its very decorative violet berries in autumn are a major asset: they persist long on the branches, offering a burst of color when the foliage disappears, making it a star of autumn-winter gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.