Aucuba Japonica

this is an evergreen, vigorous shrub, with elliptic to ovate, glossy, mid-green leaves usually with a few marginal teeth. It is also called Spotted Laurel because of its variegated foliage that is attractive all year round to some of its varieties or Himalayan Laurel because of its origin from the Himalayas.

Aucuba is a fully hardy shrub and is a popular plant for those who don't have much time for gardening.  This plant is also very valuated for is tolerance to difficult growing conditions: full shade, dry soils, pollution and salt winds. The only thing that doesn't like is a waterlogged soil.

In mid spring, the female plants bear upright clusters of small, red flowers, followed by bright red berries in autumn that remain all winter. The male plants bear small, red-purple flowers with yellow anthers in erect panicles.

You can choose to grow Aucuba as hedges or screens, as specimen plants as they grow up to 3 m tall, or to fill a dark corner where little else will flourish. It can also be grown in containers outdoors or as houseplant.

Will grow in any place or soil except the waterlogged ones but prefers a place in shade, where the variegated leaves are at their best. If grown in containers, use loam-based potting compost. In the growing season water it freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly but in winter water it sparingly.

Trim the hedges in spring to keep them in good shape and renovate old shrubs by cutting back hard in spring.

You can propagate Aucuba by sowing seeds in containers in a cold frame in autumn or by rooting semi-ripe cuttings in summer.