Callicarpa acuminata, black beautyberry, clusters of shiny black berries on arching stems
Callicarpa acuminata, black beautyberry, clusters of shiny black berries on arching stems
Pollinator Very Rare

Black Beautyberry

Callicarpa acuminata

$23.00
1 Gallon USDA Zones 8–10 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 6–8 Feet

Callicarpa acuminata, the black beautyberry, lines arching branches with glossy black fruit in fall, a sophisticated Mexican cousin of the American beautyberry.

2 in stock

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

Healthy-arrival guarantee Free shipping over $150
Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
Shipping later in the season? Schedule your delivery date in your cart.
The Full Story

Callicarpa acuminata, the black beautyberry, is the Mexican cousin of the familiar American beautyberry, a deciduous shrub of arching branches that, in fall, lines the stems with clusters of small, shiny berries in glossy black rather than the usual purple. The dark fruit is a quiet, sophisticated turn on the beautyberry idea, set off by the green leaves and lingering into the cool months.

Collected in Mexico by the late, great Texas plantsman Lynn Lowery, the black beautyberry was perhaps first offered to the international market by Woodlanders. Easy and undemanding, the shrub wants good garden soil in sun or semi-shade, and like other beautyberries fruits best on the current year's growth.

Use black beautyberry in a shrub border, a woodland edge, or a wildlife planting, where the unusual black berries draw the eye and feed the birds. A six-to-eight-foot shrub, fast and adaptable, and a collector's alternative to the purple-fruited kinds.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained, Moist
Mature size
Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 6–8 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Deciduous
Design Notes

A collector's beautyberry for a shrub border, a woodland edge, or a wildlife planting, where the unusual glossy black fall fruit draws the eye and feeds the birds, a sophisticated change from the purple-berried kinds. Fast and adaptable in sun or semi-shade; cut back in late winter for the heaviest fruit on new wood.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Small pink-lavender flowers in summer, followed by glossy black berries

Flowers. Small pink to lavender flowers in clusters along the stems in summer, busy with bees. Fruit. Clusters of small, shiny black berries ring the arching stems in fall, an unusual dark turn on the beautyberry, lingering into the cool months and feeding birds. Foliage. Pointed, deciduous leaves on a fast, arching, six-to-eight-foot frame.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade.

Soil. Good, well-drained garden soil; adaptable.

Water. Water to establish; drought tolerant once settled, with deep watering in dry spells repaid.

Pruning. Cut back in late winter to keep the shrub compact and increase fruit, since the berries come on new wood.

Hardiness. USDA zones 8 to 10.

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
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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.