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Spotted Laurel Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

Phonetic Spelling
aw-KEW-ba juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

This spotted leaved aucuba grows slowly as a dense, rounded, evergreen shrub. It prefers rich, moist well-drained soil in partial to full shade.  Flowers appear in the early spring and the foliage is glossy, green blotched with yellow, and long lasting to provide year-round interest.  It is used as a potted house plant in the north. 

The plant can tolerate heavy shade, air pollution and poor soils. The showy leaves are most colorful in the full shade and they provide a pop of color in dark corners as well as some interest during the winter months. The flowers bloom on new wood; therefore, pruning, if needed, may be done in late winter and early spring.  Propagate it by stem cutting or seed, but propagating from cutting ensures that you maintain the coloring of the plant.  In cold climates, it may die back in the winter.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Fairly problem-free.  Mealybugs, scale, and nematode are occasional problems.  Southern blight or fungal leaf spots do occur.  Root rot happens in poorly drained or very wet soils. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Opposite leaves with yellow flecks
  • Large, coriaceous leaves with waxy green stems

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

 

 

 

More information on Aucuba japonica.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Shade Garden at the New Hanover County Arboretum
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#winter interest#interesting leaves#air pollution tolerant#variegated#screening#background planting#fantz#poor soils tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#winter interest#interesting leaves#air pollution tolerant#variegated#screening#background planting#fantz#poor soils tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aucuba
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Garryaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    An ellipsoidal berry-like drupe, red, slightly more than 1 cm.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    An axillary cymose panicle. 1-5, maroon-burgundy, less than 1" wide.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Spotted leaves. Opposite, simple, elliptic-ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, dentate, maculate- dark green with yellow spots/ blotches.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Succulent, green, glabrous and waxy, shield-shaped leaf scars connected by transverse stipular scar.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution
    Poor Soil