In front of the Fearrington House Restaurant, visitors have been pausing to admire a fascinating fall sight and asking gardeners, "What is this gorgeous plant!?” The answer is American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), truly living up to its name with striking clusters of bright purple berries held tightly against long arching branches.
Native throughout the Southeast, Beautyberry grows in damp open woodlands and thickets, supporting a range of wildlife through flower nectar, nutrient-dense fruits, and shelter within its overlapping branches. In the Village, it has been particularly popular with cardinals and goldfinches, who perch on the branches and nibble throughout the day.
In a garden design, Beautyberries make an excellent addition to hedgerows, wildlife gardens, and lightly-shaded borders. They provide a gentle green background for summer-blooming flowers before taking center stage in fall, add winter structure with smooth gray branches, and leaf out late in spring to allow underplanting with bulbs. Here at the House, a specimen is surrounded with mixed natives, including Blue Mistflower (Conoclinum coelestinum), Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), and Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) for a lively fall display.
Rachael, Fearrington Gardener
The Village Shops are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
