Callicarpa mollis, commonly known as Soft-leaved Beautyberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the understory of temperate forests and woodland edges in Korea and Japan. It typically grows to a height and width of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters). This shrub is noted for its graceful arching branches and its small, delicate, lavender to purple flowers that bloom in the summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they give way to clusters of striking, glossy, purple berries in the fall, which persist into the winter and are a food source for birds. The leaves are soft to the touch, hence the name ’mollis’.

Soft-leaved Beautyberry is valued for its ornamental berries, which add color to the garden when few other plants are in fruit. It is used in border planting, as a specimen, or for naturalizing in woodland gardens. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil, and while it prefers full sun to part shade, it can tolerate a range of light conditions. This plant is relatively low-maintenance but can benefit from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage berry production. There are no major disease or pest problems, although it can be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid climates. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0