My Callicarpa "Issai" is two years old. I have enjoyed it arching branches and the vivid purple berries in the late summer. I am hoping that it will get taller as it ages, it is only about 2 ft. now. I think I will need to move it because I planted it too close to the driveway. It looks messy now and some of the branches are draped near the driveway. Last year I cut back some of the branches during the winter because they were in the way. It didn't seem to care.In my occupation, I always cut them back in early spring, (and sometimes again, if they are getting too big) Do you think it will be alright to cut it back when all the foliage is off and it enters its dormancy? Advice please!
I don't prune fruit trees in the fall since this makes them more susceptible to fungal attack the longer the wound is open and exposed to the elements. I would tend to think that that would apply to other trees as well. Other than maybe pruning a little short of the actual point you want to prune to and then in the spring, prune again to the actual spot you need to cut it back to. Then as the tree/shrub produces new bark in the spring it will heal over better.
OMG! I love this plant. I have one or 2 of them in my gardens. I shall take clippings and start new ones. Barb in Pa.
We have two native beautyberries in our yard and they are practically indestructible. We started them from clippings taken in the wild. Like Barb, I'll have to take more clippings and get more bushes for the birds!
So, Marlin... Do you prune your Beauties back in the spring? Do you grow them in full sun, or part shade? I went ahead and did some light pruning on mine because it was looking pretty sloppy.
Kay, remember we are in Texas, without what you would consider a "winter". I usually prune my beautyberries in early to mid-February, along with the roses. At that time the buds are just beginning to show and I can take some of the clippings and stick them in damp perlite/vermiculite and root them. Ours are in semi-shade, poor soil, and dry most of the time. We plant them at the base of trees where nothing else will grow.
