Sugarloaf Pink Native Beautyberry. This incredible find was made by Dr. Todd Lasseigne when at the Tulsa Botanical Garden and Adam Black when at the John Fairey Gardens (formerly Peckerwood Gardens), TX, on Sugarloaf Mountain in the Ouachita Mountain Range in eastern Oklahoma near the Arkansas state line. The berries are several shades deeper pink than 'Welch's Pink', and this definitely gives a new color range to Beautyberries. Adam told me that the deepest pink doesn't occur until a specimen is planted in the ground. At the present it seems to be slightly more compact than the species. The most ideal growing conditions are part sun or morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much direct sun will bleach the color of the berries when they turn in late summer and fall. The pictures are courtesy of Adam Black of the John Fairey Gardens, TX. It has been shared with me that one of the best natural mosquito repellants is the leaves of this species. Crush the green leaves rub them over the skin surface, and this gives one about six hours of protection..
Zones 6-10
