Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst'
Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst'

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst'

SKU: S60800
1 for $39.00
Quick Facts
Common Name: Beautyberry
Hardiness Zone: 5-8S/9W Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
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Blooms In: Aug
Mature Height: 3-4' Spacing: 4-6'
Read our Growing Guide Ships as: ONE GALLON POT
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Shipping Details Shipment begins in mid March 2024, depending on your zone. See shipping tab for details
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Product Details

Product Details

Callicarpa (Beautyberry) is a genus of about 140 species of shrubs grown primarily for their shiny purple berries rather than for foliage or flowers, and the best of them are very attractive plants that can bring a distinctive look to late summer. We have found a selection of C. dichotoma, a fine Korean species, to be most garden worthy. 'Early Amethyst' shares many attributes of the species—a pleasant, rounded form, long, elliptical leaves, small pink flowers, and bright lavender berries—but it sets fruit in early September, well before other varieties of Beautyberry. The berries are loved by a variety of backyard birds, including thrashers and towhees.

Plants thrive in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, and they tolerate drought. They fruit more heavily if several are planted together. 

For more information on the growing and care of Callicarpa, click Growing Guide.

Shipping

Shipping

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.

Reviews

Reviews

Average Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (7 Reviews) Write a Review

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Ordered Beautyberry - received chokeberry.

I ordered Beautyberry as a companion to cross pollinate with one I already have. I received Chokeberry labeled as Calicarpa.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


A different plant.

I saw this plant on The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburn Falls and went home and ordered 3. They are doing well and remind me of that day trip with my girlfriend. The purple is lovely.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


Love mine, until it became invasive

I bought one of these several years ago, and absolutely loved it, and so did the birds.....then it became extremely invasive! I now have six plus tons of babies everywhere! I would advise, if you plant one, NOT planting these in, or near, a bed, as they will take over everything. Sadly, I will be removing all of mine as they have become too much work to control spread.

62 of 64 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


Nice little shrub

Mine's in its third season, has doubled in size and I'm happy with it. The berries add fall interest to a garden that (typical for NE) is topheavy with spring/summer bloomers (lilac, rhodies, cherries, hydrangea.) Buying another.

25 of 27 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no  Certified buyer


This beauty lives up to its name

I saw this shrub when I lived in Texas and fell in love. Moved back to Kentucky and had always looked for this plant, and when I found this here I was elated. I bought 2 and planted them by my front porch so I could look at them whenever I went outside. I cannot tell you how beautiful these plants are.

83 of 85 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no

Next Page

Growing guide

Growing guide
Print Grow Guide

Latin Name Pronunciation: kal-ih-kar'puh 

Callicarpa is one of the best fruiting shrubs for mid-fall color; its shiny lavender berries are a great attraction in the landscape at a time when many plants are winding down their display. Plants produce small pink flowers in August, but it's the berries that produce the big show. 'Early Amethyst' sets fruit in early September here in Connecticut, well ahead of the species.

Callicarpa are fast growers, spreading about as wide as they are tall. Fruit production is better if several are planted together. Plants are small enough to fit easily into a perennial or mixed border, perhaps near Ornamental Grasses, Perovskia, and late-blooming Rudbeckias for a satisfying late-season display.

Plants prefer full sun and tolerate partial shade, and average, well-drained soil. Once established, Callicarpa is drought tolerant. No serious pest or disease problems. Seldom requires fertilizer.

Because plants flower on the current season's growth, they can be pruned hard (to as low as 4–6″) in early spring. Plants will be smaller than they would be if left unpruned, but their stems will be lined from head to toe (rather than just at the tips of the branches) with clusters of berries.

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