Is there something wrong with my Viburnums?

Question

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w65/cliffedwardsk/Picture047.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w65/cliffedwardsk/Picture046.jpg

I planted these last spring and they are planted in soil that was tilled with manure and mushroom compost, they were watered very well over the summer and now they look like this?
Is this how they are suppose to look in winter?
I think they are "Leather Leaf Viburnums".
I thought they were suppose to be evergreen or are they maybe what is called "semi-evergreem"?

ALSO , IN REGARDS TO THE GUY WHO STATED THAT THESE MAYBE "HYBRID" FORMS, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN?

I HAVE THESE PLANTED IN FRONT OF A 6 FOOT HIGH DECK AND I WANT TO KEEP THEM TRIMMED DOWN TO NO HIGHER THAN 7-8 FEET. IS THIS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM? DO THEY GET TOO BIG FOR KEEPING THEM THAT HEIGHT?
THANKS!

Answer 1

I agree with these folks. Your plant is farely happy for this time of year. It is Viburnum Rhytidophyllum (I think aka rhytidophylloides). They are usually evergreen to about 25 deg. and semi-evergreen (loses some leaves) to about 5 deg. and below that it will usually lose all of them but still come back (likely will die around -10 deg). Wind does affect the leaf loss, but usually not overall health. It's easy enough to keep it at 7-8' or shorter, but will need some pruning. Which will be good for it since it will then ultimately have more leaves to possibly keep on in the winter! Oh... and hybrid just means that a plant is a cross between two species or other hybrids. Without knowing the exact name, you don't know for sure that it isn't a hybrid. Either way, it's still a very close relative of vib. rhyt.. Hopefully that helps and isn't too much :-s

Answer 2

Although the Leatherleaf Viburnum is considered a broadleaf evergreen, the Hybrid Leatherleaf Viburnum (V. x rhytidophylloides), a cross with V. lantana, is only semi-evergreen, but is more cold hardy and vigorous than leatherleaf viburnum and a popular screening shrub in the American Midwest. It's most likely that you have the hybrid variety, and it is just exhibiting normal winter behavior.

In response to your further inquiry: The hybrid Leatherleaf is crossbred with another variety of viburnum (Viburnum lantana) to increase it's hardiness (ability to live in a colder climate). The Viburnum x rhytidophylloides (the hybrid variety) typically grows to about 10' high x 10' wide, is tolerant of hot dry locations, prefers full sun, and is hardy to USDA Zone 5. As a semi-evergreen, it can either keep it's green leaves all winter in milder climates, the leaves can change color and hold on the bush in the medium range of it's climate zone, or may drop completely at the lower end of it's climate scale.

They can be pruned to maintain size if you want to. There are several other viburnum varieties that naturally grow to the size you desire without maintenance. Drop me an e-mail (see my profile) if you want a suggestion of an alternate.

Answer 3

You don't say where you live, I wonder if you've had some freezing weather lately? Are they in an area that gets direct wind? I think these look like they have dried out and been frozen. They are still pretty young.

When temps drop below freezing, and the dry winds whip through your yard plants will dry out and have trouble getting moisture from the frozen soil. Water them with some warm--not hot--water and be sure they are not allowed to dry out for the rest of the winter.

Viburnums are pretty tough, I bet if you keep them watered they will bounce right back in the spring. As they get bigger and their root systems get deeper, they will toughen up for you in future years. Viburnums are truly evergreen in the Pacific Northwest, but we don't usually have extended freezes to dry them out.

Answer 4

this is normal. its how my viburnums look in the fall after they freeze and just before they drop. even tho i have the evergreen leafed viburnum, in my climate they never stay on the shrub over winter. they will regrow in the spring and look great. the fall color is really nice, mine turn even redder than the ones in your pic. these shrubs are only truly evergreen in a mild climate.

Answer 5

the plant looks like it needs watering from your photo.
the species you have is viburnum rhytidophyllum large evergreen shrub . the shrub needs to be moved away from the building the centre of the hole needs to be five feet from the porch
the plant grows rapidly and has flowers in spring then berries red at first turning black it is grown for its deep veined leaves.
the shrub grows to ten feet high and ten feet across can be pruned

Answer 6

your vibunums will be fine if they have some good sun, and keep them watered everyday "including" in the winter! dont feed them, as they will be dorment at the moment and you should never feed a sick plant unless you are 110% sure that the reason its ill is because of no nutrients in the soil. Just like me and you , we dont want to be fed if we are ill.. Also, feeding and pruning will encorage it to grow, and again this is the wrong time of year.. I bet, if its got sun and water it will be fine thiis summer.