Renowned for its toughness, its tolerance of alkaline soils, and its colorful summer fruits, this large coarse deciduous shrub from Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa is also known as a parent of the popular hybrid Viburnum × rhytidophylloides. Its sparse upright stems bear leathery wrinkled oval leaves that are dark grayish-green with fuzzy gray undersides. The leaves may turn burgundy in fall. Flattened clusters of fetid white flowers are borne in late spring on the previous year's growth. Bees and butterflies pollinate the flowers, with cross-pollination required for heavy fruit set. The small oval fruits ripen from green to yellow and red and finally to black, with all colors often occurring in the same cluster. Birds harvest the fruits in fall.
Adaptable to a wide range of conditions, wayfaring tree is one of the best viburnums for dry, heavy, or alkaline soils. Grow it in full sun for best flowering. It works well in the back of the shrub border or as a low-maintenance screening or hedge plant. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Viburnum
Species - Lantana
Common name - Wayfaring Tree
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 8
Height - 8'-15' / 2.40 - 4.60 m
Spread - 8'-12' / 2.40 - 3.70 m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Drought tolerant, average water
Landscape uses - Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
Bloom season - Spring, Late Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours. 2. Sow seeds so they are just covered or nestled among soil particles in a seed tray. Use a peat-based potting mix that drains well and remains moist. Or, incorporate sand into the peat mix to create a moist, well-draining, fine-particle soil. 3. Place the seedling tray in a brightly lit (not baking in direct sun) garden location, greenhouse or indoor room where the temperature hovers around 68F (+20C) for a period of three months. Keep the soil moist, but never wet/soggy. This is a "warm season stratification". 4. Relocate the seedling tray to the cold frame outdoors (or a refrigerator) where the temperature hovers around +1-+3C for three to five months. Keep the soil barely moist. 5. Remove from the cold stratification area and again place the seedling tray into a warm, bright location where the temperature is around +18-+20C degrees. Keep the tray exposed to this warm environment for three to six months. Look for any germinating seeds. If none is seen, repeat the process again. Info source: eHow.com |