Callicarpa japonica 'Leucocarpa' - Japanese Beautyberry 'Leucocarpa'
General: Japanese beautyberry is a sparse growing shrub that is common in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The plant grows two to three meters high. From July to August, the shrub flowers on the biennial wood and numerous, shiny purple, berry-like fruits are formed. These ripen in September/October and remain hanging until winter. The color is very atypical and looks somewhat artificial, but this makes it all the more interesting. Accordingly, the plants are popular ornamental shrubs in the garden.
Care as a bonsai: The unique feature of this plant is the purple fruits, which, of course, are particularly accentuated on a bonsai. By the way, if there is another beautyberry in the garden planting, the fruiting is stronger. Otherwise, the plant also has a very beautiful, yellow-orange autumn coloration and the flower is also conspicuous and readily visited by insects. Even as a bonsai, the beautyberry grows somewhat sparsely and requires appropriate pruning and possibly the wiring of individual branches. However, individuals can be planted together as a group to produce a very pleasing shape with good branching. Repotting is done in spring before the leaves sprout. The roots of the beauty fruit should be protected from too much frost!
Features of the variety: Actually, the fruits of Japanese beautyberry are purple. However, in this variety the small round berries are white. In winter, they adhere to the otherwise leafless plant for a long time, and then they are very decorative.
