Right now one of my favorite native plants is in full color, however the color comes not from flowers, but from the fruit of American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana).  The color of the berries can be anywhere from magenta to a vivid purple.  American Beautyberry normally grows on the fringes, on the edge of the woods, near ditches and in places with moist soil.  Though it can easily be found in the wild, it can also have a place in the home garden.  Just give it some room as it can get 6' tall and wide, or more, but there is a great deal of variation in size.  It will grow in full sun to a fair amount of shade, and is not particular about soil type as long as it stays moist.  Beautyberry is not very drought tolerant.  In early summer the plant flowers, but while not ugly, the small pale pinkish purple flowers are not very showy.  Ripening in September, the fruit more than makes up for the bloom's lack of color.  The foliage will turn a pale yellow before dropping in the fall and is not very remarkable, but is a nice foil to the colorful fruit.  The berries will remain on the shrub for several months, unless the mockingbirds or robins discover it first. 

     One trick to growing Beautyberry is to cut it back hard every year or two in late winter.  The reason for this is to encourage lots of new growth in the spring, which will in turn encourage lots of flowers and consequently berries.  Other than to enjoy the beauty of the fruit, there is another reason to grow Beautyberry.  There have been numerous studies that have confirmed that Callicarpa americanais a natural mosquito repellent.  So plant several and never buy another Citronella Geranium again!