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Purple Beautyberry 'Issai'

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Issai'

$23.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 5–8 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 3–5 Feet

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Issai', the purple beautyberry, sets a heavy crop of glossy violet berries on a compact, cold-hardy shrub, fruiting young and freely.

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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Callicarpa dichotoma 'Issai', the purple beautyberry, is a compact, cold-hardy selection grown for a heavy crop of glossy, violet-purple berries that ring the stems from late summer well into fall. Smaller and tidier than the American beautyberry, 'Issai' fruits young and freely, often setting berries on a single plant, and holds the color long after the leaves have gone.

Small pink-lavender flowers open in summer, an unobtrusive lead-in to the berries, which are the show. A four-to-five-foot shrub that keeps a neat, rounded shape, the purple beautyberry suits a small garden, a mixed border, or a mass planting where the fall fruit can light up the bed.

Plant 'Issai' in sun or part shade in average, well-drained soil. Like the rest of the genus, the shrub fruits on the current year's growth, so cut back hard in late winter for the heaviest crop and a compact frame. Easy, reliable, and a top choice for fall color where space is limited.

Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–8
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 3–5 Feet · Spread 3–5 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Deciduous
Design Notes

A compact, heavy-fruiting beautyberry for a small garden, a mixed border, or a mass planting, where the glossy violet fall berries light up the bed and feed birds. 'Issai' fruits young and freely, even as a single plant, and keeps a neat rounded shape. Cut back hard in late winter for the heaviest crop on new wood.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Pink-lavender flowers in summer, followed by violet-purple berries

Flowers. Small pink-lavender flowers along the stems in summer, modest but busy with bees. Fruit. Glossy, violet-purple berries in tight clusters ring the stems from late summer into fall, set young and heavily, even on a single plant, and persisting after leaf-fall. Foliage. Pointed, deciduous leaves on a compact, neat, rounded, three-to-five-foot frame.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; best fruit in at least part sun.

Soil. Average, well-drained soil; adaptable.

Water. Water to establish; drought tolerant once settled.

Pruning. Cut back hard in late winter, since fruit comes on new wood; this keeps the shrub compact and heavy with berries.

Hardiness. USDA zones 5 to 8.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.

What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.

What payment methods can I use?

We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.

Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.