Beauty Berry
Callicarpa americana

One of our most drought tolerant shrubs that provides colorful fruit for most of the year. 

Naturally found on the back of dunes, in scrub, pinelands and oak hammocks.  Able to tolerate moderate shade or full sun and average soil. 

In North Florida these plants are killed to the ground by frost, yet come up as multiple canes in the spring.  Cut them to the ground in February  to mimic this.

Combine with wild coffee and ardisia under an oak or with saw palmetto and horizontal cocoplum around a group of slash pines.

The berries are not poisonous, yet not tasty either.  They provide moisture to birds in the dry part of spring.