Pumpkin Spice Lattes are at the bottom of most wish lists as temperatures hover around 90 degrees in East Tennessee. However, planting now for autumn interest in your Knoxville landscaping will ensure you can enjoy the beauty of one of my favorite plants come fall. Here’s why I like American Beautyberry.
Plant Name
American Beautyberry – Callicarpa Americana
What It Looks Like
The American Beautyberry is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall and just as wide. Its long, arching branches give this plant a loose, natural form. During the fall, you’ll see interesting clusters of purple berries along the stems. This beautiful feature is rivaled only by the delicate, light pink blooms in the spring.
Where to Use It
I like to use American Beautyberry in its native species (although others are available). It’s a great choice among border plantings in groups of three or five, or as a focal point all on its own. You’ll find it does well planted in partial shade with well-drained soil.
If you’re a lover of wildlife, you’re in luck. The American Beautyberry will attract birds with its berries and deer for the foliage.
It’s also a relatively low maintenance plant that can handle severe pruning, which will not only help control the size, but also to encourage bloom and berry production.
What Else?
For a professionally designed look for your Knoxville landscaping, pair the American Beautyberry with:
- Spreading Plum Yew: a low-growing, wide-spreading evergreen shrub
- Legend of the Small Fothergilla: a deciduous, native shrub with three-season interest
- Little Joker Ninebark: a deciduous, native shrub with dark foliage
Contact Us
If you’re tackling a do-it-yourself project, one can typically find good quality plants at Stanley’s Greenhouse, SiteOne Landscape Supply and Northshore Nursery, among others in the Knoxville area. For help designing just the right planting bed for your next landscape design project in Knoxville, fill out our contact form or call us at 865-765-5550.
