Early Amethyst Beautyberry

The Early Amethyst Beautyberry was selected for how early it ripens its amazing violet-purple berries – and it really does. They are fully ripe in early September and last well all through October, before becoming valuable food for songbirds. By then later varieties will be in full swing, so you get to extend the season with these remarkable bushes. The slender branches cascade over and show off their heavy crop of berries as the leaves turn yellow and fall. Grow this wonderful shrub in open woodlands, natural areas and cottage gardens, or mass plant it in your shrub beds for late color.

• Arching sprays of violet-purple berries in September and October
• Shows color much earlier than other beautyberry varieties
• Easily grown foreground shrub for natural gardens
• Berries are a valuable food source for songbirds
• Blooms on new growth, so tolerates winter-kill in cold zones

Full sun or a little partial shade is perfect for the easy to grow Early Amethyst Beautyberry. It grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soils, but it isn’t fussy, and grows just fine in most garden soils. It doesn’t have any significant pests or diseases and it just takes a spring trim to keep it perfect. Remove any dead shoots and cut back last year’s branches to a few inches long. It flowers on new stems, so winter damage isn’t a problem.