2 named cultivars

shrub

Leatherleaf Viburnum

Viburnum rhytidophylloides

The Story

Plant Bio

Viburnum x rhytidophylloides, lantanaphyllum viburnum, is a large upright semi-evergreen shrub of hybrid Eurasian parentage, eight to ten feet in both directions. Heavily wrinkled leathery leaves hang on through mild winters, multi-stemmed growth emerges green-white and turns orange-brown, and flat clusters of small creamy flowers open in spring.

It is semi-evergreen rather than reliably evergreen: in a hard winter the leaves hang limp and rolled, which looks alarming and is simply how the plant conserves moisture in cold. It needs a second, different viburnum flowering nearby to set the red-to-black fruit, so a single specimen will flower well and fruit hardly at all.

Uses & Benefits:

Bold wrinkled leathery foliage held through mild winters, with creamy spring flower clusters.

Fast, tough and large enough to screen, and tolerant of both sun and partial shade.

Birds take the fruit where a pollination partner allows it to set, and butterflies work the flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

108 inches

Width

108 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Garden hybrid of Eurasian species

Toxicity

Fruit is not edible raw

Planting

How to Grow

Plant a second viburnum nearby for cross-pollination.
Allow eight to ten feet of width at maturity.
Choose sun or partial shade with shelter from wind.
Give it moist, well-drained soil.
Water deeply through the first two summers.
Prune lightly after flowering if needed.

Pro Tip

Winter leaves that hang limp and rolled are conserving moisture, not dying — they lift again as soon as it warms.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant a pollination partner nearby 🌿
Shelter it from drying winter wind 🌬️
Allow it ten feet of width 📏
Prune lightly after flowering ✂️

Don't

Expect fruit from a single plant ❌
Panic at rolled winter foliage ❌
Site it in an exposed windy corner ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Inspect
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large screening and boundary plantingCoastal and exposed gardensBackground shrub in a mixed border

Companion Plants

Oakleaf Hydrangea MahoniaHellebore Autumn Fern Camellia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Leatherleaf Viburnum questions

What zones can Leatherleaf Viburnum grow in?

Leatherleaf Viburnum is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Leatherleaf Viburnum deer resistant?

Yes — Leatherleaf Viburnum is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Leatherleaf Viburnum bloom?

Leatherleaf Viburnum typically blooms in mid spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Leatherleaf Viburnum need full sun?

Leatherleaf Viburnum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Leatherleaf Viburnum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Leatherleaf Viburnum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.