Pearl Glam® Beautyberry

Beautyberry (known botanically as Callicarpa) always lives up to its name in late summer/early autumn, when its elegant, arching branches are covered with a huge crop of the most unbelievably purple berries. However, most beautyberries are less than thrilling up until that point. Pearl Glam® beautyberry changes all of that, thanks to elegant dark purple foliage from spring through frost. It also boasts a neat, upright habit that takes up far less valuable garden real estate than the old sprawling varieties. Pearl Glam beautyberry does not need a separate variety to pollinate it – it is self-fruitful and will develop a showy crop of purple fruits even if you plant just one. This is a very nice choice for cut flower arrangements as well as in the garden or landscape.

Why grow Pearl Glam beautyberry?

  • Dark purple foliage keeps it interesting all season, not just in late summer when it fruits
  • Tons of clusters of perfectly round purple berries in late summer/fall
  • Space-saving upright habit takes up far less space than conventional beautyberries

Additional information

Dimensions3 × 4 ft
Botanical Name

Callicarpa x 'NCCX2' PP#28,312, CBRAF

Zone

5, 6, 7, 8

Flower Color

White

Foliage Color

Purple

Height

4-5'

Width/Spread

3-4'

Exposure

Full Sun

Soil

Average, Well-drained

Bloom Time

Summer

Uses

Borders, Containers, Cutting Gardens, Foundations

Features

Cut flower, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fall interest, Foliage interest

Blooms On

New wood

Breeder

Dr. Tom Ranney, NCSU

Plant Care

Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day). Foliage color, as well as flowering and fruiting, will be negatively impacted by too much shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil will do.

Water: Average water needs.

Fertilizing: One application of a granular fertilizer formulated for shrubs, like a rose fertilizer, is sufficient. If your plant experienced winter dieback, you may wish to make monthly applications through late July to speed its recovery.

Pruning: Pearl Glam beautyberry blooms on new wood and can be pruned in spring if desired. At the colder end of its hardiness range, it may die back to the ground in winter. If this happens, do not prune – wait until the new growth begins to emerge, and then remove any wood that’s not showing signs of life. Be aware that Pearl Glam beautyberry is naturally fairly late to emerge in spring, plus its dark foliage can be difficult to see against the soil, so be patient, and give your plant time to emerge before making any hasty decisions about removing or pruning.