About this product

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' – Purple Beautyberry – 3 Litre Pot

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'

Supplied in a 3 litre pot

Plant Highlights

• Brilliant violet-purple berries clustered along the stems in autumn

• Decorative autumn foliage with rosy-pink and purple tones

• Bronze-purple young leaves that mature to green through summer

• Small lilac flowers followed by colourful ornamental berries

• Hardy deciduous shrub with an elegant, upright and arching habit

Overview

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion', commonly known as Beautyberry, is an outstanding deciduous shrub grown for its remarkable clusters of glossy violet-purple berries. As the garden moves into autumn, the small, jewel-like fruits develop along its slender branches, creating a vivid display against the changing foliage. The leaves emerge with bronze-purple colouring in spring, mature to green during summer and take on rosy-pink and purplish shades before falling.

During summer, clusters of small lilac flowers appear along the stems. Although understated, these flowers are followed by the spectacular berries for which 'Profusion' is prized. Once the leaves have dropped, the colourful fruits can remain visible on the bare branches into early winter, giving the shrub a striking silhouette at a time when many garden plants have finished their display.

Why We Love It

• Exceptional berry colour: The vivid violet-purple fruits bring an unusual colour to autumn planting schemes.

• A changing foliage display: Bronze-tinted spring growth develops into summer green before turning pinkish-purple in autumn.

• Beautiful bare stems: After leaf fall, clusters of berries stand out against the slender branches.

• Excellent for autumn arrangements: Berry-laden stems can be cut for decorative floral displays.

• A rewarding shrub for mixed borders: Its upright, arching shape adds height and structure without the visual weight of dense evergreen foliage.

Plant Details

Attribute	Information
Botanical Name	Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'
Botanical Synonym	Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion'
Common Name	Beautyberry, Purple Beautyberry
Cultivar	'Profusion'
Plant Type	Deciduous ornamental shrub
Foliage	Bronze-purple when young, green in summer, developing rosy-pink to purplish autumn colour
Flowers	Small lilac flowers in clusters along the stems
Flowering Period	Summer, generally June to August
Berries	Small, glossy, violet-purple fruits in compact clusters
Berry Season	Autumn, sometimes persisting into early winter
Growth Habit	Upright, bushy and arching with age
Mature Height	Approximately 2.5–4m
Mature Spread	Approximately 1.5–2.5m
Time to Maturity	Approximately 10–20 years
Position	Full sun or partial shade
Soil	Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral or alkaline
Hardiness	RHS H6, approximately −20°C to −15°C
Pruning	Light shaping in late winter or early spring
Pollination	Berry production is generally improved by planting more than one compatible Callicarpa nearby
Best Uses	Autumn borders, informal shrub planting and seasonal cut-stem arrangements

Growing Guide

Position and Light

Plant Callicarpa 'Profusion' in full sun or partial shade. A sunny position generally encourages stronger flowering, more reliable berry production and good autumn foliage colour.

It is particularly effective towards the middle or back of a mixed shrub border, where its colourful autumn berries can be seen above lower-growing plants.

Allow room for its upright branches to arch naturally as the shrub matures. Avoid heavily shaded positions, which may encourage sparse growth and fewer fruits.

Watering and Establishment

Water thoroughly after planting, ensuring moisture reaches the full root ball and surrounding soil.

During the first growing season, check soil moisture regularly and water during dry periods to help the roots establish. Once established, the shrub generally requires additional watering only during extended dry spells.

Callicarpa prefers soil that retains some moisture but does not remain saturated. Avoid allowing young plants to dry out completely during active growth.

For plants temporarily kept in containers, check compost moisture more frequently during warm or windy weather, allowing excess water to drain away.

Soil and Drainage

'Profusion' grows well in a range of garden soils, including clay, loam, sand and chalk, provided drainage is adequate.

It prefers reasonably fertile soil with sufficient organic matter to retain moisture through summer.

When planting in heavy Irish soil, improve the soil structure with suitable organic matter and avoid locations where water collects for prolonged periods during winter.

Apply an organic mulch around the root area in spring to help conserve moisture and improve soil conditions, keeping the mulch clear of the main stems.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' has an RHS H6 hardiness rating, indicating tolerance of approximately −20°C to −15°C in suitable growing conditions.

It is well suited to many Irish gardens, provided the soil drains adequately. Young plants benefit from good establishment before experiencing prolonged cold or waterlogged winter conditions.

The shrub naturally loses its leaves in autumn. This exposes the berry-covered branches, which provide much of its late-season ornamental appeal.

Berries may persist into early winter, although their duration depends on weather conditions and other factors.

Pruning and Routine Maintenance

Callicarpa 'Profusion' generally needs little pruning when given sufficient room to develop its natural upright, arching shape.

In late winter or early spring, remove dead, damaged or crossing stems and lightly shorten branches where necessary to maintain a balanced outline.

Older, congested shrubs can be thinned by removing selected stems near the base to encourage healthy replacement growth.

Avoid unnecessary hard pruning every year, as this can reduce the number of flowering stems and affect the autumn berry display.

Feeding

In reasonably fertile garden soil, additional feeding is rarely necessary.

If growth is weak or the soil is particularly poor, apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in spring according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Avoid excessive nitrogen feeding, which can encourage leafy growth without improving the ornamental berry display.

Pollination and Berry Production

Although 'Profusion' is selected for its abundant fruiting, the number of berries can vary from year to year.

Planting two or more compatible Callicarpa shrubs nearby generally improves pollination and fruit production. Group planting is particularly worthwhile where a strong autumn berry display is the main reason for growing the shrub.

Good sunlight, healthy summer growth and suitable weather during flowering also influence the eventual crop of ornamental berries.

Perfect For

• Autumn-interest borders: The violet-purple berries provide a vivid contrast with golden grasses and warm autumn foliage.

• Mixed shrub planting: Its upright, arching branches add seasonal height and structure among evergreen and deciduous companions.

• Cottage and informal gardens: The changing foliage and berry-covered stems suit relaxed, layered planting schemes.

• Winter garden displays: Bright berries on bare stems can remain attractive into the early winter months.

• Seasonal flower arrangements: Cut branches carrying mature berries create distinctive decorative displays indoors.

Good to Know

The berries of Callicarpa 'Profusion' are ornamental and should not be eaten.

Although this cultivar is known for generous berry production, the display is not guaranteed on every plant each year. Planting more than one compatible Callicarpa nearby can improve pollination and help produce a fuller crop.

'Profusion' is deciduous, so leaf fall in autumn is completely normal. Its colourful berries become particularly noticeable once the foliage has dropped.

Product Information

• Product: Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'

• Botanical Name: Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'

• Cultivar: 'Profusion'

• Common Name: Purple Beautyberry

• Pot Size: 3 litres

• Supplied Format: Potted deciduous shrub

• Product Barcode / SKU: 8712044891705