I will have to try this. I have a couple of these plants in my deer resistant front yard. Now there's another good reason for the beautiful beautyberry!

Recently a friend read that if you cut the stalks with berries on them & stick them in a vase they will last for weeks as a nice floral arrangement. she tried it & they lasted about 3 weeks. It was BEAUTIFUL!

I did not know about the leaves working as a mosquito repellant. I have a Beautyberry bush in my back yard, I will have to give the leaves a try for the mosquitoes.
Great and informative article. Thank you for writing it.

Callicarpa Americana also comes in a white berry variety which looks great next to the purple variety.

Thank you for all you nice comments!

Rubbing the leaves on your skin really does help keep the mosquitoes away. I don't know why I don't us it more often! This year they were drooping most of the time from too much heat and no water but they are survivors. I'm so happy to see the fruit as it's food for so much wildlife.

Ann, that sounds so pretty and that's nice that they will last so long!

Jan, ah yes, the white berry is not as common. I would love to see it in person or I'll have to look for seeds and grow some.

I have seeds of both if you'd like. I haven't been able to germinate them but I am told to try cold stratification so I have some in the fridge now. I can send you some fresh ones in the berry too if there are any left. The mockingbirds here love them.

Jan...

Jan, I love your avatar! hmmm.... I'll send you a tree-mail!

Stratification is probably a good idea, or wintersowing outdoors.

We don't have a real winter here other than an odd cold day here & there. I have had both colors outside for several years and even picked the berries and stomped them in under the plants and covered them up and never got one to start.

Try starting a cutting or two. Just strip the bottom leaves and stick the cutting in the ground and forget about it.