AUCUBA JAPONICA

Botanical Name: Aucuba japonica
Common Names: Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant, Aucuba, Laurel Manchado
Light Requirements: Partial to full shade; tolerates deep shade
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; adaptable to a variety of soil types, including poor soils
Water Needs: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established, but appreciates occasional watering in dry spells
Foliage: Large, leathery, glossy leaves, typically deep green and often splashed or speckled with golden-yellow variegation (depending on cultivar)
Flowers: Small, purple-maroon clusters in spring; female plants produce bright red berries if a male pollinator is nearby
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Uses:

Ornamental Plant:
Aucuba japonica is admired for its bold, glossy, variegated foliage that brightens shaded gardens and adds texture to indoor and outdoor landscapes.

Shade Gardening:
Perfect for underplanting, shaded courtyards, and woodland gardens where few plants thrive.

Container Plant:
Its decorative foliage makes it excellent for pots and patios, even in low-light areas.

Benefits:

• Shade Tolerance: Thrives where most other shrubs struggle, even in deep shade.

• Low Maintenance: Hardy, pest-resistant, and adaptable to poor soils.

• Year-Round Interest: Evergreen foliage provides constant color, while berries add seasonal ornament.

• Air Purification: Helps improve air quality when used indoors.

• Versatile Placement: Suitable for hedges, specimen planting, or containers.

Aucuba japonica is a robust, evergreen shrub valued for its adaptability and decorative foliage. With its glossy, variegated leaves, shade tolerance, and minimal care needs, it is an excellent choice for sustainable gardens and shaded landscapes.