Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum belongs to the family of the Viburnaceae and is an evergreen shrub based in China. This plant is often used because of its robustness, its decorative, leather -like leaves and its attractive inflorescences as well as berry fruits in gardens and parks. It is also a valuable wood in landscape design, since it cuts a good figure both as a solitaire plant and in hedges or group plantings.

Morphology

Viburnum rhytidophyllum is an evergreen shrub that reaches growth heights of 3 to 5 meters, in rare cases up to 6 meters. It has an expansive, dense growth shape with wide, horizontally oriented branches. The bark of the older shoots is gray-brown and slightly cracked, while the younger shoots have a slightly hairy, gray-green tone.

One of the most striking characteristics of Viburnum rhytidophyllum are his large, dark green leaves, which have a rough, wrinkled surface, which also gave the plant its name "wrinkled snowball". The leaves are lanceolate and can get up to 20 cm long and 5 cm wide. They have a leathery texture and stay on the plant throughout the winter, which makes them an important structural provider in the winter garden landscape. The underside of the leaf is light green and densely hairy, which forms an interesting contrast to the shiny top.

The flowers appear in large, umbel -like inflorescences in late spring, usually in May or June. The inflorescences can reach up to 20 cm in diameter and consist of numerous small, cream -white single flowers that exude a light, pleasant fragrance. After the pollination, red, later shiny black berries (stone fruits), which are an important source of food for birds, develop red, later shiny black berries.

Distribution and habitat

Viburnum rhytidophyllum is located in the mountain regions of China, where it occurs in mixed forests and at forest edges at altitudes from 800 to 3000 meters. The plant prefers well -permeable, humus -rich soils that are slightly acidic to alkaline and thrives in both sunny and partially shaded locations. In its natural environment, Viburnum rhytidophyllum often grows in damp, cool climate zones, but also shows a remarkable tolerance towards dryness and urban conditions, which makes it a resistant and adaptable plant.

Ecological meaning

Viburnum rhytidophyllum is not only valuable because of its decorative properties, but also plays an important role in the ecology of its natural habitat. The plant offers shelter for birds and small mammals with its dense branch and the evergreen leaf. In addition, the inflorescences are an important source of food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The berries that mature in autumn are a popular food for many bird species, which contributes to the spread of their seeds.

In gardens and urban landscapes, Viburnum rhytidophyllum serves as a nesting place and shelter for birds, while its flowers and fruits attract insects and birds, which promotes biodiversity in urban areas.

Use in horticulture

Due to its robustness, its attractive appearance and its low care requirements, Viburnum rhytidophyllum is a popular choice in garden and landscape design. The plant is suitable as a solitaire shrub in larger gardens as well as as a hedge plant or background planting in mixed plantings. Due to its evergreen leaves, it offers structure and color all year round, especially in the winter months when many other plants lose their leaves.

Viburnum rhytidophyllum is relatively undemanding, but requires well -permeable floors and sufficient water supply, especially in dry summer months. The plant is hardy and resistant to cold, which means that it can also establish itself well in regions with hard winters. It also shows a high tolerance compared to urban environmental conditions such as air pollution and soil compression.

The propagation is usually carried out by cuttings or seeds, with cuttings preferred, since this method provides faster results. An increase through absorbs is also possible, as the branches root slightly when they come into contact with the soil.

Diseases and pests

Viburnum rhytidophyllum is relatively resistant to most pests and diseases. Occasionally, however, there can be infestation from aphids or mites. Mushroom diseases such as mildew or leaf spot diseases rarely occur and generally do not represent a serious problem, especially if the plant is at a well -ventilated location and receives sufficient sunlight.