Leatherleaf Viburnum Viburnum rhytidophyllum
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num ry-ti-do-FIL-um
- Description
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Leatherleaf Viburnum is an evergreen shrub native to China. This shrub prefers well-drained average to moist acidic soils.
It blooms in late spring the flower buds are formed in late summer to early fall of the previous year and are also ornamental. The dark-green foliage is also desirable. The leaves and blooms are showy and the bright red berries can last into winter. Use in mixed shrub borders or as a hedge.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: In colder winter areas it may experience winter die-back. Plant where it can be protected from winter winds.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
Quick ID
- Leaves are wrinkled, tomentose above and below
- Large, OPPOSITE, lanceolate, dark-green leaves
- Late-spring yellow-white cymes 10-20 cm across
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Cree'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Cree'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- rhytidophyllum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies. This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Red drupe turns black and can last into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Creamy white flowers on 4 to 8 in. flat-topped cyme. Individual small flowers have long stamens, 5 petals and are 1/4 inch wide. Inflorescence is a 7-11 rayed, flat-topped axillary cyme.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, simple, lanceolate, entire, distinctly rugose, tomentose above and below, 3-7 in long and 1-2 in wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are gray-brown, young stems pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
