Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Browse Trees and Plants

Hybrid leatherleaf viburnum

Viburnum x rhytidophylloides

Common names:
hybrid leatherleaf viburnum, lantanaphyllum viburnum

Content Detail

Leatherleaf viburnum is a large, semi-evergreen shrub reaching 8 to 10 feet high, used for background borders, screening, or specimen plantings. It is a hybrid cross between wayfaringtree and leatherleaf viburnum. It may be difficult to find in nurseries.

  • Family (English) Elderberry
  • Family (botanic) Adoxaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Arching, Upright
  • Growth rate Moderate

Size & Form: 

An upright, spreading shrub reaching 8 to 10 feet high and wide.

Native geographic location and habitat: 

This shrub is of hybrid origin. It is a cross between wayfaringtree (Viburnum lantana) and leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum).

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture: 

The leaves are opposite, 4 to 6 inches long, and elliptically shaped. They are dark green with a leathery, rugose texture. This shrub is semi-evergreen in the southern end of its range and deciduous in the northern climate. It has no fall color, but the leaves will stay on the plant late into fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

The small, creamy white flowers are in 3 to 4 inch flat-topped to slightly domed clusters

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: 

The berry-like fruits (drupes) are red, maturing to black. It requires other viburnums nearby for pollination to promote good fruit production.

 

Plant care: 

This shrub does best in full sun to part shade out of direct winds. Mulching will provide a cooler root environment and conserve moisture. It flowers on old wood, so prune it shortly after it has flowered. It may dieback to the ground in harsh winters.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

This plant has no serious problems.

 

Photo Gallery (3)

Slider controls

Slider

Slider

1

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift