Aucuba japonica
Aucuba japonica
Japanese aucuba, spotted laurel
Japanese aucuba, spotted laurel
| SIZE/TYPE | medium-sized shrub |
|---|---|
| USUAL HEIGHT | 1-1.5m |
| USUAL WIDTH | 1-1.5m |
| LEAVES | evergreen broadleaf |
| COLOUR OF LEAVES |
 green |
| FLOWERS | insignificant or non-blooming |
| LOCATION | full sun to shade |
| SOIL TYPE | acidic (peaty) to neutral |
| SOIL MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS | evenly moist (dislikes drought) |
| USDA zone (lowest) | 6 (down to -23°C) |
| WINTER PROTECTION | |
| FOR ZONE 5+6 |
|
| FOR ZONE 7 |
|
| BELONGS TO CATEGORIES | Evergreen broadleaf |
Spotted laurel is a popular evergreen shrub, commonly grown especially in Britain and in milder parts of humid regions of Germany and Benelux. The first specimen was brought from Japan to Europe in 1783, and has been sought after ever since. The most attractive features are the unusual shape of foliage and beautiful variegation on some cultivars, hence its name Spotted laurel.
The species of Japanese aucuba is, however, not spotted. It has large, widely elliptic to oblong, deep green, glossy leaves that are shallowly serrated at margins. Clusters of small flowers appear from mid spring, and female plants, if pollinated by male pollen, produce vivid red fruit in late summer and autumn. The fruit is not edible and might cause stomach upset.
Green aucuba can be grown in both full sun and deep shade. Our best plants are located in filtered sunlight with some shelter from drying winter sun and they are beautiful and unharmed. The soil has to be fertile, preferably acid or neutral, evenly moist but well-drained. In wet ground dangerous fungi diseases grow and these could kill the entire plant. Extra watering is advisable in frost-free periods of winter when the ground is not frozen. Hardy to approx. -24°C (USDA zone 6).
Last update 20-01-2013
The species of Japanese aucuba is, however, not spotted. It has large, widely elliptic to oblong, deep green, glossy leaves that are shallowly serrated at margins. Clusters of small flowers appear from mid spring, and female plants, if pollinated by male pollen, produce vivid red fruit in late summer and autumn. The fruit is not edible and might cause stomach upset.
Green aucuba can be grown in both full sun and deep shade. Our best plants are located in filtered sunlight with some shelter from drying winter sun and they are beautiful and unharmed. The soil has to be fertile, preferably acid or neutral, evenly moist but well-drained. In wet ground dangerous fungi diseases grow and these could kill the entire plant. Extra watering is advisable in frost-free periods of winter when the ground is not frozen. Hardy to approx. -24°C (USDA zone 6).
Last update 20-01-2013
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