Beautyberry

Few native shrubs can match the autumn show of American beautyberry, when glossy purple fruits ring its stems in tight clusters. Arching branches give it a relaxed, natural shape for woodland edges, informal hedges, and cottage gardens. It grows happily in sun or part shade and adapts to many garden soils. Songbirds keep returning to the berries well into winter. Sowing seed outdoors in fall lets winter supply the chilling it needs, and the seedlings offer an inexpensive way to fill a wildlife border with purple fruit.