American Beautyberry is noted for its many seasons of color. It is an outstanding multiple stemmed deciduous shrub that grows 6 to 8 feet tall and usually just as wide with a loose, open form and outward pointing branches. In springtime, tiny pink to lilac flowers appear. These are held in clusters called cymes that arise from the leaf axils (where the leaf joins the stem). By autumn the flowers give rise to sweet berrylike 1/4 inch drupes in striking metallic shades of magenta and violet in the fall. The beautyberries are packed tightly together in clusters that encircle the stem. These fruits remain attractive for a long time, persisting after the leaves have fallen. Beautyberry is relatively disease and pest free and is a very attractive addition to the home flower beds or yard. It prefers a sunny location for best fruiting. The fruits of American Beautyberry are an important food source for many species of birds including bobwhite quails, mockingbirds, robins, towhees, and brown thrashers. Animals that eat the fruit include armadillos, raccoons, wood rats, gray foxes, opossums, and white-tailed deer. The colorful long-lasting fruits provide food for birds and animals well into the winter months when other food sources are unavailable. Zone: 6 to 10 Growth Rate: Fast Height: 3 to 6 feet Spread: 3 to 6 feet Shape: Loose, open form and outward pointing branches. Bloom Time: June - August Bloom Color: Lavender, pink