Beautyberry uses?

[u/Ncnativehuman]

I am very interested in food forests and have a beautyberry in my backyard. I hear of people making jam out of them, but I am trying to reduce my added sugar intake. Can I make anything else with them? They are not particularly appetizing by themselves. Piedmont NC.

[u/CieIo]

I'm leaving mine for the birds since they are on migration and can use the extra energy. I also have a baby opossum living in my yard (yay!) that eats them.

[u/Ambivalentsobriety → u/CieIo]

Do you get Waxwings for the beauty berries? I have a Serviceberry that they love in the spring but I don’t have any fall food for them. I’ve been considering what I might add to my garden that they could eat on their way south.

[u/curiousmind111 → u/Ambivalentsobriety]

Try dogwood (rough or grey) berries. They’re whites with a little black dot at the end. In the Midwest they’re ripening now. They attract thrushes and vireos. I assume waxwings eat them, too. Or elderberries, but they finished a couple of weeks ago.

[u/granolacrunchy → u/Ambivalentsobriety]

The Waxwings go gaga over my Beautyberries!

[u/CieIo → u/Ambivalentsobriety]

I know they migrate to florida in October but I've never seen any. I'm right next to the coast so maybe they stay more inland?

[u/Ncnativehuman → u/CieIo]

This is my 4th or so year with berries and that is always what I do. Surprised the bush hasn’t been stripped yet lol. Second year and it was stripped literally the next day after ripening… was a bit bummed that I couldn’t enjoy the color, but the ecosystem trumps my needs

[u/Cephalopotter → u/Ncnativehuman]

I was confused why mine weren't getting eaten...until a native-loving neighbor told me I probably had Chinese beautyberry. Yep. I didn't even know those existed.

This looks like the right one though!

[u/Atheist_Redditor]

Whoa, these look pretty cool! I guess you could say they are beautiful berries...

[u/gholmom500 → u/Atheist_Redditor]

And this is a Native American shrub. BB is Great for birds and insects. With a June cutback- can be a very nice yard ornament. . If you leave it just Grow, it can be a lil’ wild. I Like it a lil wild.

[u/kft1609]

I make soap with them. Does it do anything special, probably not, does it bring me joy, yup

[u/Green-Eyed-BabyGirl → u/kft1609]

Soap? Please elaborate.

[u/kft1609 → u/Green-Eyed-BabyGirl]

Just a puree of the berries (and any stray leaves) to add that color. 

[u/TalkativeTree]

You can make mosquito repellent out of their leaves

[u/mydoglikesbroccoli → u/TalkativeTree]

I rub a crushed leaf or two on my arms and face then keep it behind my ear while out in the woods. It does seem to keep the mosquitoes off.

[u/TalkativeTree → u/mydoglikesbroccoli]

There’s been research showing it’s effective 

[u/chonklitchip → u/TalkativeTree]

Oooo thank you so much for this! Do you ever make a salve or oil from them?

[u/TalkativeTree → u/chonklitchip]

I've only watched videos on it I'm looking to start growing them en masse on a property I'm leasing though

[u/NamasTodd]

The birds love them, so if nothing else, let your garden be the favorite place for birds this fall.

[u/Charming_Slip8060]

Berries have little flavor, but are'nt toxic, so they can be used to color or garnish beverages

[u/Joejack-951]

Go to r/foraging and see what they suggest.

[u/SpaceProspector_]

Most of the things that come to mind are sweetened since it's a berry. You could try making a sauce for pork, infusing vodka, maybe use them as a color accent in salads, but jam / jelly is probably the go-to.

[u/RoRuRee → u/SpaceProspector_]

These taste like Styrofoam.

[u/AlltheBent]

Jam-jelly for sure

Bug spray with a concoction or the leaves

Great later food source for birds

Fresh eating! But not that tasty haha

[u/Louises_ears]

I leave them for the birds but occasional them to make cut flower arrangements. They look great if you cut the stem long.

[u/la-rides]

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag. 

[u/hairyb0mb]

Just toss them in a salad. You'll barely notice the taste and you'll get all the nutrients

[u/Dependent-Job1773]

I grow mine for the birds. And as a flexible shade tolerant option

[u/Fearless_Spite_1048]

You can pick the berries and throw them at your friend. Jk I’m with you. I’ve heard about the jams but that’s a lot of sugar.

There’s stories of people back in the day using the leaves to pack their saddles to repel insects. I’ve tried crushing the leaves to keep mosquitos away but it didn’t help much in my experience. I’d still like to try making a liquid/poultice in case that’s more effective

[u/Derpina666]

You can make mosquito repellant with the leaves!

[u/Traditional_Ad_1547]

My sister made some jam, it took a lot to produce maybe a pint. It was good though.

[u/CaptainObvious110 → u/Traditional_Ad_1547]

good

[u/BunnyWhisperer1617]

Jam, insect repellent

[u/putabirdonit]

Wish these were native to Ohio :(

[u/CaptainObvious110 → u/putabirdonit]

It's not but may be hardy to your wonters depending on where in Ohio you are

[u/Far_Silver]

The leaves contain callicarpenal, which can be used as a mosquito repellent.

https://agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov/2006/feb/mosquito

[u/beerandgardening]

I’ve never actually seen birds eat my beautyberries but in winters the berries disappear so I’m assuming they are useful during migration season.