Will my leatherleaf viburnums grow new leaves?

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MossyDell Riner, VA Dec 25, 2019

In October, I planted 20 Allegheny viburnums near our house here in SW Virginia. These were husky plants in 4" pots, V. xrhytidophylloides. The ones not right against the house, the deer and rabbits have eaten all their leaves and done some pruning. So many beautiful evergreens are now mostly bare twigs.

Bad on me—I had myself convinced leatherleaf types are deer resistant. Last season, they left some big leatherleafs I planted in early spring alone, though those are close to the house. Anyway, I am learning here that there are so many deer and rabbits that if they hang around where plants are, each critter needs only to sample for a plant to be denuded. And they seem to like young plants of whatever type.

Last week, I spent a couple days belatedly putting chicken wire around the bare twigs. I'm hoping they will leaf out in spring.

1. Do you think it is possible they will have enough energy reserves to re-leaf?
2. If so, would a handful of Osmocote slow release around each plant help? I have Osmocote is why I ask. I also like Holly Tone. But the point is whether I can give them a little boost in March or April without burning them. Or even now?

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Dec 26, 2019

Hi MossyDell:

Welcome to the forums here! As a viburnum enthusiast, I enjoy providing information to gardeners interested in greater success with this genus of excellent shrubs. In VA, you should be able to grow a plethora of selections.

You won't hurt any plant by using Holly Tone or Osmocote - they are designed to release nutrients slowly. This time of year, however, the plants aren't doing a lot of nutrient uptake. I would wait until early spring when you normally expect plants to produce new leaves or start flowering. That's an indication of nutrient uptake, and that's when soil and air temps will be appropriate for your fertilizers to work properly.

As far as warding off deer and rabbits: good luck. A dog on the property is sometimes a successful approach, though we have a beagle which I think has made friends with all the deer and rabbits in the neighborhood.

I have had many hundreds of viburnums here at the Valley. Rabbits tend to bite off young stems, but don't ever seem to eat anything - just sharpening their teeth I suspect. They bit off a couple of young Viburnum rhytidophyllum three years running, but these little plants (1 Quart starts) managed to survive. I bet your plants may do the same.

Chicken wire cages are probably the only thing you can do, if you are not a hunter. If you want other advice on viburnums, you can search for contributions I've made here over the years - or ask away.

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