Natural Beauty

Nature has an inspiring way of making a landscape flow without mans touch. Think about your own landscaping and compare it to Mother Natures own designs. Does your yard seamlessly move from piece to piece? Do your ideas mesh and please the eye of onlookers? Time and freedom of thought create a beautiful situation were simplicity and a plants individual voice is heard. Granted we don’t have a few millions years to sculpt our perfect landscape. We also don’t have the ability to clear our minds past that one embarrassing thing we did last week. However, there are plants available that can give us the best shot at achieving a natural and inexplicably flowing landscape. This week I want to talk about a shrub that is native to our area and adds to the natural landscape surrounding us everyday.  This weeks Plant of the Week is Beautyberry!

Why Use Beautyberry in your Landscaping?

Beautyberry is probably best suited for those of you looking for a more natural or rustic flair to your home. However, its brilliant late season color will please even the most contemporary minded homeowners. Generally growing 3-5 feet tall, this wonderful shrub requires virtually no maintenance. Its mid-range size makes it easy to manage and use in the landscape. It has an open arching growth habit that provides a whimsical feel to a space. Brilliant purple berries coat each branch and stand out beautifully against the plants foliage. These berries continue to provide a show after the leaves have fallen away. Not only is this plant a best of show contender, the berries also provide an excellent source of food for wildlife and the flowers are a great source for nectar for butterflies.

Where to Use Beautyberry in your Landscaping?

This plant is perfect along a forest edge or in an understory setting.  Full sun is beneficial to get the most out of this plant, but being a woodland native means it is perfectly happy in a more shaded location! I would use this plant in masses to allow the berries to explode out of a space and provide the late season interest for a landscape. These could be used along a low wall, or near a patio to provide interesting shape, color and style to a space. I would recommend pairing this plant with early and mid season flowers, like Hosta or Astilbe, to create an incredible natural setting with long lasting interest. Beautyberry prefers to be on the moist side, but are heat tolerant and forgiving during dry spells. Keep in mind if you plant Beautyberry in full sun it will require more watering!  See our blog about watering to get a better understanding of how to best care for your plants!

What Does Eagleson Landscape Co. Think?

It is safe to say I’m a fan of Beautyberry. Its growth habit has a draw to it that, with the addition of its berries, makes it irresistible. I like that as a native, it is very easy to grow and requires very little to get the most from it each year. Having a multitude of uses in design makes it a great option for anyone looking to update their landscaping. I give this shrub an A and encourage you to read more about it here and here!