How to Grow Beautyberry Shrubs

Beautyberries enjoy full sun to partial sun, needing a minimum of several hours daily. They commonly grow on the edge of woodlands and do well in similar locations in the yard. They grow well in most soil types, except very sandy soils low in fertility. 

When To Plant Beautyberry

Like other shrubs, beautyberries can be planted in either spring or fall, depending on your region. Northern gardeners will have better success with spring plantings to allow roots to establish prior to cold weather.

Southern gardeners can utilize fall planting, allowing the plant to establish itself without worrying about summer’s heat and dry spells. 

How To Plant Beautyberry

Plant beautyberry shrubs like other perennials. Choose a spot where they’ll have room to expand. They can attain a large size.

1. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball and about as deep as the container. The hole should look like a shallow bowl with sloping sides, not a well.
    
2. Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole. 
    
3. Remove the beautyberry from its container. If the shrub doesn’t want to come loose, water it, lay it on its side, and roll the container back and forth, applying enough pressure to deform the plastic container. It should pop free. 
    
4. If there are circling, girdling roots, you’ll need to cut them. Loosen up rootbound plants by scoring the edges of the rootball with your garden trowel or even breaking them up with your hands.
    
5. Test fit the shrub in the hole, ensuring the plant will sit with its container soil level with the new ground. Adjust the depth of the hole as necessary.
    
6. Plant the shrub and backfill the hole with the soil you removed. Pause part way and water well, then continue adding soil. Firm the soil around the roots to avoid air pockets.
    
7. Make a slight dish edge around the plant to keep water from running away. 
    
8. Water the beautyberry again, taking time to let water soak into the soil.
    
9. Mulch underneath to keep weeds down and keep the soil moist.