Care of the tree Callicarpa japonica or Japanese beautyberry |
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The genus Callicarpa, family Lamiaceae, includes about 170 species of trees distributed throughout Asia, Australia, Central and North America. Some species are: Callicarpa japonica, Callicarpa americana, Callicarpa nudiflora, Callicarpa macrophylla, Callicarpa bodinieri. Common names: Japanese beautyberry, East Asian beautyberry. This species is native to the Far East. They are deciduous trees or shrubs with a rounded habit and elegant arching branches that reach almost 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. The oval leaves with toothed margins are deep green, turning yellow in autumn. They produce small white or pink flowers that are not very decorative. They bloom in early summer. The most decorative are the rounded violet fruits. They are used in bushy groups, as isolated specimens, to form hedges and in public parks. They are not recommended for regions with a Mediterranean climate. The Callicarpa japonica grows in full sun and semi-shade exposures and in temperate and humid climates. They resist frost well. The soil can be a normal well-drained garden soil with coarse sand and containing organic matter. Water regularly so that the substrate is always slightly damp but never waterlogged. They resist a few days of drought. Fertilize with compost or manure at the end of winter. Lightly prune the tips of the branches (about 15 cm/5.9") in late winter or early spring. They do not usually present serious pest and disease problems, but they can be attacked by fungi if watering is excessive. They are propagated by cuttings in spring and from seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or spring. |
Images of the tree Callicarpa japonica or Japanese beautyberry |
 Callicarpa japonica  Callicarpa japonica  Callicarpa japonica |