Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum, Leatherleaf Viburnum, was first collected by Ernest Wilson in China and sent back to James Veitch and Sons in 1900. It is an unusual Viburnum with distinctive elongated leathery leaves, deeply-textured on their upper surface and downy on their lower surface. In Spring it bears umbel-like clusters of creamy white flowers.

It is a tough plant and although preferring a moist acidic soil and a sunny or partial shady aspect it will tolerate dry alkaline soil in deep shade. It will also tolerate exposed windy positions, however it will always look at its best in a sheltered position with a good soil. Tall, multi-stem plants can be used to great effect in evergreen landscaping schemes particularly where planted with other more obviously exotic shrubs.