Aucuba
- Phonetic Spelling
- aw-KOO-bah
- Description
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This is a small group of evergreen shrubs or small trees in the silktassel family (Garryaceae) native to Asia. They can range in size from 6 to 32 feet tall and are generally found in warm shady areas. The name is a Latinization of Japanese Aokiba.
Leaves can be green to variegated, glossy and showy. The shrubs are sometimes mistaken for laurels. There are also separate male and female plants in this genus. The small flowers are in loose cymes and are followed by red drupes.
They can be grown in part to full shade and even do well in a container. Plant in well-drained moist soils with some organic matter. In hot summer areas, they will need more afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
Additional Acuba images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs and armored scales can be potential insect pests. Diseases include leaf spot diseases.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aucuba
- Family:
- Garryaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 28 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Red drupes with 1 seed follow the flowers and last through spring
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny purplish-brown flowers with 4 petals hang in loose cymes. Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) with the male flowers in terminal cymes and female flowers in leaf axils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Broadly lanceolate leaves are 3-10 inches long and 3/4 to 2.5 inches wide. They are green to variegated, leathery and glossy. Margins have a few large teeth for some species.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Fleshy stem that makes propagation easy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Foundation Planting
- Small Tree
- Understory Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Heavy Shade
