A very long, forgettable name for a very unforgettable plant!
Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ (also known by the less tongue twisting name of ’Beauty Berry’) is not for the faint hearted. Although one could be forgiven for thinking that the rather uninteresting green blob that it is for most of the year is nothing special at all. Yes my plant of the month is a boring green blob – but boring green blobs are needed in the garden – to act as a backdrop for other more extrovert plant divas. A green background is a very valuable commodity in the garden…
However that is not the full story – this shy, retiring shrub harbours a secret that becomes abundantly clear as the days get colder and the sun sinks lower. As everything else in the garden fades away, this ulgy duckling of the plant world suddenly turns into a swan and there amongst the falling leaves of this once green blob, hang clusters of metallic purple jewels - so vibrant – so shiny – so bead like that you will want to touch them to make sure they are real.
And although some may question how tasteful this shrub is or isn’t - no one can doubt that it’s truly a show stopper!
So what do you need to know about this plant…
Well firstly although hardy – in winters like the last two it could struggle if exposed so try and find a home for it in a sheltered position in full sun or dappled shade.
It grows big – so room is another point to consider – they grow to around 3 metres tall by 2.5 metres wide and also look great planted in groups so a big area is needed to make a show of these – however saying that – they also look very well on their own as a specimen so this all comes down to the amount of garden you can give over to it.
As for maintenance, just cut back one in five stems to the base every year in early spring.
With bronze leaves in spring, delicate pink flowers sprinkled over the green blob in summer and the most astonishing berries in autumn through to winter, this really is a hard working shrub for your garden!
- Jane