French mulberry (Callicarpa americana)
French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) is a shrub that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 1.5m – 3m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant French mulberry (Callicarpa americana).
This plant has several common names including: French mulberry or beautyberry.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: French mulberry, beautyberry
Scientific name: Callicarpa americana
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 1.5m – 3m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
Other types of Callicarpa to consider:
See all Callicarpa
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant French mulberry (Callicarpa americana), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Callicarpa americana likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing French mulberry (Callicarpa americana) – Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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