Aucuba japonica 'DENTATA'

Japanese laurel – aucuba is a commonly known favourite 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 for its unusual shape of foliage and beautiful variegation on some cultivars, hence its name spotted laurel.

Dentata is a large-leaved variety of Japanese laurel. It leaves are dark olive green and glossy, ovate with serrated margins. They look like those on Rozannie but are wider and slightly paler green and less glossy. It is a female variety producing vivid red fruit in late summer if pollinated. In our climate (zone 6) it grows slowly to moderately, reaching a height and width of something between 1.5 and 1.8m in maturity (abt. 20 years).

Commonly considered a house plant, spotted laurel is suitable for outdoor cultivation, too. Grow it in a location sheltered from winter sunlight, possibly in a partial shad all year round. Provide it with fertile, constantly moist but well-drained, preferably acid to neutral soil. Pruning is possible in early spring after all frosts. Older plants can be pruned medium hard for rejuvenation. 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 13-04-2015