Spotted Laurel Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Spotted Laurel:
- Phonetic Spelling
- aw-KEW-ba juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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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 in early spring and the foliage glossy, green blotched with yellow providing year-round interest. It is used as a potted house plant in the north. They can tolerate heavy shade, air pollution and poor soils. Their 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. 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
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Shade (Medium) Garden - Winter at the NHC Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Succulent, green, glabrous and waxy, shield-shaped leaf scars connected by transverse stipular scar.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
