Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
The Leatherleaf Viburnum is an expansive bushy evergreen plant growing to heights of 5m. Creamy white cymes from May onwards. Pretty luminous red stone fruit matures to black. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
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Appearance
The Leatherleaf Viburnum is an expansive bushy evergreen plant growing to heights of 5m. Creamy white cymes from May onwards. Pretty luminous red stone fruit matures to black. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
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Spring
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Leaves
Narrow elliptical to lance-like leaves, opposite, with edged tip and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base, entire or slightly serrated. Glossy dark green above, yellow-green below. 8-20cm long and 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 1-3cm long. May lose some of its foliage in very cold winters, but the leaves are rapidly replaced in spring.
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Leaf upperside
Narrow elliptical to lance-like leaves, opposite, with edged tip and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base, entire or slightly serrated. Glossy dark green above, yellow-green below. 8-20cm long and 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 1-3cm long. May lose some of its foliage in very cold winters, but the leaves are rapidly replaced in spring.
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Leaf underside
Narrow elliptical to lance-like leaves, opposite, with edged tip and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base, entire or slightly serrated. Glossy dark green above, yellow-green below. 8-20cm long and 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 1-3cm long. May lose some of its foliage in very cold winters, but the leaves are rapidly replaced in spring.
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Flowers
Flowering period V-VI. Creamy white blossoms approx. 0.6cm wide, on cymes 10-20cm wide which are of particular ornamental value. The flower buds form in the previous autumn.
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Fruits
Luminous red stone fruit matures to shiny black; ovate and 0.7cm long. Of particular ornamental value.
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Bark
Pale brown bark.
Poisonousness
It is mainly the bark that is toxic. There is no evidence that the leaves and fruit are toxic. Consumption of toxic parts of the plant may lead to gastrointestinal complaints with nausea, feeling of sickness and diarrhoea. Not normally associated with serious symptoms of poisoning.
Application
Kitchen gardens, flowering bush, inner courtyards, container plants, solitary tree, bee pastures, parks, for planting in groups
Native regions
China
Location parameters
Light: sunny to shady; soil type: sandy-loamy to clayey; nutrient concentration: normal to high; pH value of the soil: acid to highly alkaline; soil: dry to moist.
Demands
Intolerant of soil compaction; should preferably be watered in winter. Very frost-hardy, fume-hardy. Tolerates urban climates. Plants are attacked by lice in dry and hot locations. Light: sun to shade.
Growth
3 - 5m high, 3-5m in diameter
Leaves
Narrow elliptical to lance-like leaves, opposite, with edged tip and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base, entire or slightly serrated. Glossy dark green above, yellow-green below. 8-20cm long and 3-6cm wide, leaf stem 1-3cm long. May lose some of its foliage in very cold winters, but the leaves are rapidly replaced in spring.
Flowers
Flowering period V-VI. Creamy white blossoms approx. 0.6cm wide, on cymes 10-20cm wide which are of particular ornamental value. The flower buds form in the previous autumn.
Fruits
Luminous red stone fruit matures to shiny black; ovate and 0.7cm long. Of particular ornamental value.
Bark
Pale brown bark.
Roots
Surface-rooting; densely branched.