I have two Purple Beautyberry shrubs, planted in spring of 2015. They are doing very well, however their skinny branches fall down as a weeping willow, as a shrub. I would prefer they each grow into a single trunk tree with the falling branches as a willow tree. It is SO beautiful with the lavender/purple berries. Is it doable to cut back 1/3 of the branches as suggested in your "shrub" article? I would cut mostly the ones on the outer perimeter of the main "stalk" of 6 -8 1/2" shrub trunks. It would have been cool to braid the 1/2" trunks when it was younger but I read that would not have been a good idea. I LOVE all your articles :)
The leaves on my beauty berry are curly and furled, especially the tips of the new growth. This is its third year. Last year it was healthy. I pruned it down close to the ground in late fall. Is my Beauty Berry diseased? It had been unusually hot for spring in northwest Georgia but I’ve been watering.
Curling leaves can be caused by many problems, including insect damage, disease, or even herbicides. There are several insect pests that cause leaves to curl when they suck plant juices of new or young leaves that are still growing. These include aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.
Do a good inspection of the plant and it's leaves; pests can be very difficult to see.
A pest issue is usually responds to a treatment with Neem Oil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
We have quite a few articles to help you out. Here are some of them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/drying-flowers-and-foliage.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/flower-drying-methods.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/wax-dipped-roses.htm
I recently collected some beautyberry seeds from a neighbouring tree. How long does it usually take to see the seeds germinate? What is the recommended age and process for moving the new growth into the garden?
These articles should help:
https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=1506
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/beautyberry-shrub/american-beautyberry-shrubs.htm
I had to deadhead the tip of a limb off a beautyberry b/c it was partially broke off and dying. Since then, the leaves on that limb are still green but droopy and some have curled. The rest of the bush is fine. What should I do??
No. It is likely overwatering. Even with full cloud coverage, the lighting will be sufficient.
Yes, but I would treat with a fungicide just in case. This is not typical of the plant.
This could be a case of Verticillium Wilt introduced, if the shears contained spores or were not sterilized prior to cutting.
Here is an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/verticillium-wilt-treatment.htm
Also, they need to be pruned during later Winter or early Spring to avoid issues that arise with pruning out of season.
Here is an article that will offer information on care for the plant:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/beautyberry-shrub/american-beautyberry-shrubs.htm
Would underwatering and/or poorer sunlight cause just 1 limb to respond this way? We have had a lot of cloudy days and rain interruptions for the past month.
The shears were clean and so far no signs of death are present. I highly doubt it is a case of Verticillium Wilt. Should I just leave the limb as is then?
When I planted, it had gorgeous bright purple/pink, almost neon berries. Now this year, slow to grow this late spring, came alive in June. The berries are white!?!?
It doesn't exactly look like a beautyberry, but there are upright varieties. I can't tell if the leaves are opposite, which is a characteristic of beautyberries. I'm wondering if something else took over the location of your beautyberry.
Those look like flower buds, not berries, and you can see some starting to open. I did see some photos of beautyberries with blooms alongside the berries, which is odd, too, because they normally bloom in spring.
Here is more about beautyberries:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/beautyberry-shrub/american-beautyberry-shrubs.htm
Just planted one that has serious root bound problems. Was told to prune now too.
Did you score the rootball when you planted it to stop the roots from circling?
I would wait till late winter to prune. This article gives two different methods you can use.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/beautyberry-shrub/american-beautyberry-shrubs.htm
Pruning top growth will make it easier on the roots. Reduce the overall height and prune out crossing, damaged, and dead branches. Pruning the roots may be necessary, too. If the shrub is too root bound to loosen the roots, try gently using a 3-tine claw-type cultivator. If that doesn't work, spray roots with a hose to wash out the soil, De-tangle and straighten the roots. Your planting hole may need to be 3 times the width of the container to do this. If there are roots that do not fit the hole or roots that will not straighten, cut them off where the problem starts. It may be easier to get the depth right if you make a mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Backfill, tamp the soil and water several times. Apply 2-4 inches or wood mulch or chopped or mowed leaves. It will be critical to water the shrub weekly (about 2 gallons) if autumn is dry. The roots will keep working to get established until the ground freezes. Here is general information on planting shrubs: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm