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A superb Beautyberry, discovered at Tennessee Technological University, 'Duet' wows with variegated foliage that emerges blue-green, edged in soft yellow, and ages to a blue-green and white. From a distance, the foliage appears almost white, making it glow in the landscape, especially when growing against a dark background such as a woodland border, wall, or taller plants with dark green foliage. The clusters of tiny flowers in late spring are inconspicuous, but are followed by clusters of white berries that ring the stems starting in late summer and continuing through fall and into winter. Butterflies and beneficial pollinators will visit the flowers, and birds will visit the berries. Duet forms an upright, rounded mound with arching stems that reach 6 feet tall and are equally as wide in 5 years, eventually growing to 7 to 8 feet at maturity. Duet is a lovely specimen, grouping, or natural hedge for sunny to partially shaded areas, and thrives in both moist and dry soils once established. 

The USDA states that beautyberry has insecticidal properties that repel mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and other pests. We've tried it with success. You can plant this beautiful shrub near outdoor living spaces to help keep bugs away and also make your own insect repellent.

How To Make Mosquito Repellent From The Leaves & Stems Of Beautyberry Plants 

Growing in a rounded mound 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, the Duet Beautyberry is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a very colorful natural hedge in sunny to partially shaded landscape, flowering shrub, and woodland borders. It is also a lovely accent in home foundation plantings when fronted by low evergreen shrubs. It is a fine addition to white-themed gardens, perennial gardens, bird and pollinator gardens, Asian-themed gardens, and cottage gardens.

Duet Beautyberry is exceptionally easy to grow and care for with no serious insect or disease problems. Deer and other critters don't like it either. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution, thriving well even in inner city environments. 

Choose a sunny to partially shaded site for planting. In warmer climates (Zones 7-8), some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons is appreciated.

It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It prefers average to moist conditions; however, it tolerates periods of dry weather once established.

Maintenance is little to none, requiring no pruning; however, some gardeners cut it back to the ground in late winter or early spring to control size. Because it blooms on new wood (the current season's growth), a one-time late winter or early spring pruning doesn't affect flowering or berry production.

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