Aucuba japonica

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese laurel

Other common names

blotch-leaved laurel, gold-leaf plant, Japan laurel, spotted laurel, variegated laurel

Synonyms

Aucuba japonica 'Viridis'
Aucuba japonica 'Concolor'
Aucuba japonica var. viridis
Aucuba concolor

Shrubs

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A bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub up to 3m high and wide, with thick, oval, glossy leaves. Small, red-purple flowers in spring are followed, on female plants, by clusters of red autumn berries provided there is a male plant nearby to provide pollen

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Garryaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit is ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit is ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Aucuba are dioecious evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves, attractively variegated in many cultivars, and small purple flowers followed on female plants by large glossy red fruit
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temperate E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow in almost any soil or situation except soil prone to waterlogging, tolerating full shade, dry soil, pollution and salt wind

Propagation

Propagate by taking semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1; trim hedges in spring; shrubs may be renovated by hard pruning in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus