The U.S. National Arboretum, in cooperation with Tennessee Technological University, presents 'Duet', a beautyberry with stable variegated foliage. 

In light shade or full sun, its lovely green and yellow leaves brighten the landscape 

throughout the summer season. Ease of propagation and low maintenance add to its 

symphony of charms. 'Duet' stars as a solo planting or as a mixed border or hedge, adding exciting contrast to your garden palette.

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'

U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

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April 2008 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Botanical Name: Callicarpa dichotoma 'Duet'

(NA 72235; PI 651521)

Family Verbenaceae

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-8

Development: A variegated sport of Callicarpa dichotoma 'Albifructus' was discovered at Tennessee Technological University in 2000 by Dr. Gary Bachman and Mr. W. Edgar Davis. It was transferred to Dr. Sandra Reed 

for testing and evaluation in 2002. 'Duet' was released jointly by the 

U.S. National Arboretum and Tennessee Technological University on 

November 9, 2006. The cultivar name ‘Duet’ was registered in 2007 

with the International Cultivar Registration Authority for unassigned 

genera.

Significance: 'Duet' is the first stable variegated beautyberry. It was selected for 

its variegated foliage and tolerance to full sun. Like other Callicarpa,

its disease and insect tolerant foliage make it an ideal plant for a low 

maintenance landscape.

Description: Height and Width: 6 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide in 4 years.

Habit: Deciduous, rounded shrub.

Foliage: Medium green with distinct yellow margins. Leaves average 

3 inches long and 1 inch wide. While the variegation is very stable, an 

occasional green shoot may develop. 

Flowers: Inconspicuous flowers in mid-summer.

Fruit: Small (0.1 inch diameter) white fruit ripen in September and 

persist for 1 to 2 weeks after leaf drop. Plants flower and produce 

fruit at a young age.

Culture: 'Duet' grows well in average soil of moderate fertility. It can be grown 

in full sun in zone 7 and cooler climates without the yellow margins of 

the leaves burning, but may benefit from light shade in warmer 

climates. Leaves on plants become sparse in heavy shade. While 

some winter dieback may occur in zone 5 or following late spring 

freezes, plants will quickly re-grow if cut back to the ground. Like 

other Callicarpa, 'Duet' is free of major disease and insect problems.

Propagation: Softwood cuttings root in four weeks under mist with 4000 ppm KIBA.

Landscape Use: Background planting in the shrub border, specimen plant, deciduous 

hedge or screen, mass planted in large areas.

Availability: Wholesale availability beginning in 2007; retail availability projected 

for 2009. For a list of wholesale nurseries propagating this plant, 

contact Dr. Sandra Reed, U.S. National Arboretum, 472 Cadillac Lane, 

McMinnville, TN 37110.

'Duet' Beautyberry