What soil does Beautyberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy.

Is Beautyberry hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Beautyberry toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Beautyberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Beautyberry flower?

Flowering: June–August, purple, pink.

How much water does Beautyberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Beautyberry cost?

It sells for roughly HUF 2,600 to HUF 28,000 in local shops, depending on size.

Beautyberry

Callicarpa bodinieri

Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about HUF 2,600.

Illustration of Beautyberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Beautyberry is grown not for its small lilac summer flowers but for the clusters of glossy violet berries that appear in autumn and stay on the bare stems after leaf fall, into early winter. It wants a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and moist but well-drained soil; in shade it gets leggy and berries poorly. A single shrub does set fruit, but two or three planted together cross-pollinate and berry far more heavily.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the stems can die back in hard winters (below roughly -23 °C, earlier in exposed sites). This is rarely fatal: it flowers on the current year's growth, so after being cut back in spring it still berries the same year. It is seldom troubled by disease; leaf spot and stem diseases may occur occasionally.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 1.7 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, purple, pink

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.7 m
Ultimate size	1.5–3 m × 1.2–2.4 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–August, purple, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about HUF 2,600

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-30 cm	approx. HUF 3,800
size not stated	approx. HUF 2,600 – HUF 28,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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