Aucuba japonica

Aucuba japonica

Common name: spotted laurel

Family: Garryaceae

Leaf: leathery, glossy, elliptic to narrow-ovate, medium, to rich green leaves, up to 8" long, marginal teeth on the upper half of the leaves. 'Mr. Goldstrike' is a mosaic variegation variety. 'Salicifolia' is another variety with very attractive, more narrow leaves.

Flower:Tiny, dark red-purple flowers with white antlers blooming in early spring (March-April). Each flower has four sepals and four petals. Aucubas are dioecious. Male flowers have inflorescences that appear in upright terminal cymes. Female flowers appear on short clusters from the leaf axils

Fruit: red drupe, showy

Habit: evergreen shrub; Form: rounded

Height: 6-10'; Spread: 5-9'

Culture: Winter hardy to USDA zones 7-9. Best grown in organically rich soils in part shade to full shade. Can be grown in full sun in areas with a less intense summer climate. If in a hot summer climate, it will need significant shade, as leaves will burn otherwise. Tolerates drought, city pollutants and lean soils. Does not like overly moist or wet soils. Best planted in a protected area,sheltered from strong winds. Can be pruned as hard as desired. If grown in containers in a cold winter area, can be brought indoors for the winter. If brought indoors, keep in a room with a 50-60 degrees F range. Can be propagated by cuttings. 'Mr. Goldstrike' keeps its variegation pattern even in shade. Fairly hardy overall.

Uses: Hedge, screen, solo specimen, in background. 'Mr. Goldstrike' is a great specimen for dark-shade as the variegation stands out. great in planters, containers for patios, terraces. Window boxes. Indoor housplant for cooler rooms.

Origin: China, Taiwan, Southern Japan

A. japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike'