American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,794 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American beautyberry: observations by month (U.S.)
About American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry) is an open-habit, native shrub of the Southern United States which is often grown as an ornamental in gardens and yards. American beautyberries produce large clusters of purple berries, which birds and deer eat, thus distributing the seeds.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American beautyberry by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 924 | June | May–Jun |
| Texas | 255 | June | May–Jul |
| Mississippi | 171 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Louisiana | 97 | June | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 80 | June | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 76 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 59 | June | Jun–Jul |
| South Carolina | 55 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 44 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 16 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Tennessee | 11 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph American beautyberry?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is American beautyberry most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Texas, Mississippi.