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Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Leatherleaf Arrowwood · Wrinkled Viburnum · Leatherleaf Viburnum

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

A domed head of small cream flowers opening from green buds, surrounded by long dark leaves deeply puckered between their veins.
FlowerJean-Jacques MILANCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
10-15 ft3-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
10-15 ft3-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China North-Central, China South-Central, China SoutheastGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good DrainageExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Rhytidophyllum comes from the Greek rhytis, "wrinkled", and phyllon, "leaf", for the deeply veined leaves of the leatherleaf viburnum. Its blue berries ripen to glossy black. Wikipedia: Viburnum rhytidophyllum

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around May 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on May 14, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 56 days.

23% germination in 14–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. rhytidophyllum germ. 40-70-40-70(23% in 2-8 w) and 70-40-70-40-70(7%). The seedlings develop a root system at 70. The cotyledons will not develop until after 3mat4O and a return to7o.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

7% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. rhytidophyllum germ. 40-70-40-70(23% in 2-8 w) and 70-40-70-40-70(7%). The seedlings develop a root system at 70. The cotyledons will not develop until after 3mat4O and a return to7o.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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