It's the time of year when my Callicarpa bush has its annual moment of glory:
Very soon the leaves will fall off, making the purple berries show up even more, but I like this bush best just as the leaves turn colour. This is a plant noted for its berries, not its foliage. It's never going to be able to compete with the Acers! However, for a few days every year, just before they fall, the leaves are tinged with reddish-brown. I think it contrasts very attractively with the purple berries.
This year the number of berries is good. They have formed in huge clusters like this:-
The Blackbirds will eat these berries in a month or so, when all the Summer goodies have gone. Callicarpa berries are evidently not a great delicacy, and only seem to get eaten as a last resort. Meanwhile I shall enjoy their beauty myself! A colloquial name for Callicarpa is "Beauty Bush". You can see why.
how stunning!... they look deadly though!
ReplyDeleteIt's good that the blackbirds allow you some time to enjoy the berries.
ReplyDeleteThe purple berries are quite gorgeous looking. I'm surprised your not trying out some sort of jam?
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Have I got that sort of reputation already? I don't know, but I suspect that Callicarpa berries are either poisonous to humans or unpleasant!
DeleteOther than grapes don't know that I've seen berries that color before. I see why you like it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful specimen.
ReplyDeleteThe berries are such a lovely colour, though I suppose they're not as eye grabbing as bright red ones to the birds. It affords you the time to enjoy them before they're discovered.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a beautiful day!
Lea
Fabulous specimen and the colour of the berries looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThe berries are a lovely looking colour.
ReplyDeleteI never seen this plant before. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've seen these bushes and berries in a couple of gardens recently and was wandering what they were. So thanks for identifying them for me!
ReplyDelete