EYE-CATCHING AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRIES ARE CURRENTLY HEADLINERS
backyardwildlifeconnection by Terry W.Johnson
The plants that catch my eye every time I step into my backyard during this, the first week of September, are American Beautyberries (Callicarpa Americana). The reason for this is their stems are covered with clusters of round, magenta berries (actually called drupes). I know of no other native berries that have such a unique color.
If you had gazed on them in spring and early summer, you would not believe these are the same plants. Before the American beautyberry is festooned with clumps of magenta berries, they are unimpressive plants that blend into the landscape. Now however, their transformation into beautiful shrubs make it impossible not to notice them. Since these berries are beginning to disappear, it is obvious that wild birds have also noticed them. More than 40 species of birds dine on the colorful drupes. Some of the birds than dine on them in my backyard are gray catbirds, northern mockingbirds, northern cardinals, and house finches.
American beautyberries also provide food for migrating warblers and other Neotropical migrants. I must admit that I have never seen what I was certain was a bird on migration eating beautyberries in my hard. However, one migrant I would love to see do so is the black-throated blue warbler. The drupes of the American beautyberry are said to be a favorite food of this colorful bird.
If this short Georgia native shrub is not growing in your yard, you might consider adding one or more to your home landscape. It will grow in both moist and dry sites, is hardy, and drought tolerant. The only negative thing I can say about this native is that it has a tendency to spread away from where it is planted. However, if volunteers sprout in spots where you don’t want them, they are easy to control.
