I love Callicarpa– I first discovered it used in a wreath that I bought many years ago. The berries are so beautiful that I thought they were fake until I discovered the real plant. The wreath disintegrated after a couple of seasons, but now that I am growing the source shrub, I can easily harvest and craft with clusters of purple berries whenever I want.

My original Callicarpa Americana is planted right next to my garage. The prime spot for visitors to notice it as they park their cars. Everyone asks about it – just one shrub easily draws the attention of even the most garden-blind person. Its clusters of fall berries are just so unexpected and bright – like the prettiest peppercorns dangling from long arching branches.

Wikipedia describes Callicarpa americana:

American beautyberry or Callicarpa americana has been found to be a natural insect repellent. Four chemicals have been isolated that appear to be the active ingredients; borneol,[1] callicarpenal, intermedeol, and spathulenol. It has found to be repellant to the mosquitoes which carry yellow fever and malaria, as well as the tick which carries Lyme disease. The discovery and use of callicarpenal has been patented by the United States Department of Agriculture Agriculture Research Service.[2] It has also been used to produce wine.

2. Callicarpa americana, 3. american beautyberry,