Plant Profile: Viburnum x rhytidophylloides

This semi-evergreen ornamental shrub features broad leaves and branches that have a slight arch. While it initially grows in an upright manner, it gradually develops a more mounded and spreading form as it matures, reaching heights and widths of 8 to 10 feet. This plant is a hybrid of V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana, and it tends to produce suckers over time. Flower buds begin to form during the summer, so it is advisable to prune shortly after flowering. The leaves are leathery and wrinkled, displaying a dark green color on the top with lighter shades underneath. In spring, clusters of flowers measuring about 4 inches emerge, although they may emit an unpleasant scent. These flowers give way to drupes that transition from red to black as they ripen. To ensure optimal fruit production, a mix of cross-pollinating shrubs from one or both parent species is necessary.

This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and can be effectively used as a hedge, in shrub borders, or as a standalone specimen.

In terms of pests and diseases, this plant does not face significant challenges, though it may occasionally experience leaf spot issues.