Aucuba japonica 'Dentata' (f)

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese laurel 'Dentata'

Other common names

spotted laurel 'Dentata'

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub with dark green, glossy, toothed foliage. Females produce terminal panicles of purple flowers in mid spring followed by red berries the following winter, once the flowers are pollinated

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or East–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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a shady location in fertile, moist but well drained soil. Will grow well in all but waterlogged soils

Propagation

Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Cut flowers
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus