Callicarpa

Callicarpa (Callicarpa), a genus of evergreen or deciduous shrubs and trees of the verbena family, contains about 40 species. It occurs in the forests of the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Australia, and North and Central America. In the countries of the former USSR it is cultivated as an ornamental plant on the Black Sea coast and in the Caucasus.

A deciduous, fruiting shrub of medium growth rate for warm, sheltered sites on well-drained garden soil. It should be planted so that in autumn one can closely observe the pea-sized purple berries growing in the axils of opposite leaves, resembling pearls.

Callicarpa bodinieri (С. bodinieri) from China — a deciduous shrub up to 3 m high, flowers pink in umbel-like inflorescences, opening in July — August, fruits ripen in September — November;

Callicarpa dichotoma (С. dichotoma), Callicarpa japonica (С. japonica), Callicarpa americana (С. americana) — sun-loving ornamental shrubs; especially attractive in autumn during fruiting (hence the Russian name), when their branches are covered with numerous differently colored fruits (ripening from the base upwards along the shoot) — from bright red to purple. The fruits persist on the plant from September to January.

Propagated by seeds, in cultivation by cuttings.