This hybrid of V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana combines the bold, textured foliage of its parents with a practical adaptability that suits it for hedging, shrub borders, or standalone use. Young plants grow erect, but the form softens over time into a broadly mounded and spreading habit, eventually reaching 8 to 10 feet in height and similar spread. The dark green leaves are leathery and wrinkled on top with paler, slightly downy undersides, a texture that reads well from a distance and holds up through the growing season.

Flower buds set during the summer, so any pruning should happen right after the spring bloom to avoid losing next year's display. The 4-inch flower clusters that open in spring carry an unpleasant fragrance, which is worth knowing before placing this shrub near an entrance or patio seating. The fruits that follow shift from red to black as they ripen, adding late-season color. Good fruit set requires cross-pollinating companions from one or both parent species nearby. Leaf spot may appear occasionally but causes no serious damage. Deer resistant through zones 5 to 8.