James H. Schutte
Family
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name
CALLICARPA bodinieri 'Profusion'
Plant Common Name
Beautyberry, Profusion Beautyberry
General Description
This is one spectacular beautyberry! The arching boughs of 'Profusion' become weighted by the vibrant violet-pink berries that light up the late season garden. Sometimes listed under the name Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldi, it is a bit more compact than standard Bodinier beautyberry and has a more uniform vase-shaped habit.
Developing branched clusters of purplish-pink berries late in the season, Bodinier beautyberry is a somewhat rangy, bushy deciduous shrub ideal for informal garden plantings. Native to the open forests and fields of China, it produces subtle lavender-pink flowers from early to midsummer and loads of vibrant berries from late-summer to early winter.
The dull green leaves of this shrub are oval, tapered and have slightly toothed edges. In midsummer, hundreds of tiny lavender-pink flower clusters line the arching stems. The lightly fragrant blooms attract pollinating insects, particularly bees. By early fall, clusters of small violet-pink berries replace the flowers. The fall foliage turns yellow-green with blushes of pink or burgundy, and the pretty fruits that remain persist on the stems up to early winter, though birds often pick them away earlier.
Grow Bodinier beautyberry in full to partial sun in moderately fertile neutral soil. Richer, moister soils lead to best plant performance. Flowering and fruiting occurs on new wood, so prune back branches in late winter to early spring (if winter cold does not cause dieback naturally). The untidy, unsophisticated form of this beautyberry makes it best-suited to natural plantings and screens.
The very showy cultivar, 'Profusion', is known for heavy berry production. This species is commonly confused with Callicarpa giraldii which differs in floral characteristics, particularly the yellow glands on the corolla.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 3
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
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Width
6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Pink, Lavender
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Fruit Color
Pink, Violet, Blue Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Yellow Green, Rose
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Bark Color
Copper, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
