American beautyberry for birds in Virginia
Magenta fruit clusters from late summer. Native to Virginia, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Callicarpa americana
- Native status
- Native in Virginia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Virginia birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 23
Growing conditions in Virginia
Humid subtropical in the east, cooler and snowier in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny highlands.
Warm, humid summers; House Wrens and hummingbirds breed statewide.
Virginia birds that use American beautyberry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (13)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (5)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush
Moderate winters with periodic snow; purple finches and occasional northern finches visit feeders.
Nesting season it supports in Virginia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use American beautyberry:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with American beautyberry in Virginia
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is American beautyberry native to Virginia?
Yes. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is recorded as native in Virginia. Virginia spans USDA 5b–8a.
What birds does American beautyberry attract in Virginia?
In Virginia, American beautyberry supports 28 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does American beautyberry help nesting birds in Virginia?
23 of those birds nest in Virginia: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use American beautyberry in Virginia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush use it in Virginia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Virginia
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.