Aucuba

( aw- KEW - buh )

At-A-Glance Information

Aucuba shrubs can be used in a variety of ways to add colorful foliage to the garden. Native to Asia, they can be used as hedges, screening plants, or accents to brighten shady planting areas. Aucubas can tolerate coastal conditions, make good container plants on patios, and can be pruned to control shape or height, competing well with tree roots. These shrubs produce insignificant purple-maroon flowers followed by red fruits. Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden, especially if you have children or pets, as the foliage is toxic if ingested.

aucuba Species and Varietals

The genus Aucuba is a member of the plant family Garryaceae, and includes between three and ten species. The most commonly grown species, Japanese Aucuba (Aucuba japonica), was introduced to the West in 1783 by John Graeffer (a student of Phillip Miller), and quickly gained popularity shortly afterwards as a greenhouse plant. These shrubs grow well in USDA hardiness zones 6b-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Aucuba chinensis (Chinese Aucuba, Chinese Laurel, Chinese Aucuba-Bush)
This species forms a shrub or small tree, and is native to southern China, Taiwan, Burma and northern Vietnam. Individual plants can reach up to just under 20 feet tall at maturity. Foliage is dark green and glossy above, light green below, and sometimes has toothed margins.

Aucuba japonica (Japanese Aucuba, Spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant, Variegated Laurel)
This species is native to moist valleys, thickets, and streams in shaded areas in China, Korea, and Japan. This species is very commonly cultivated in gardens, and there are many cultivars with beautiful foliage. This species of Aucuba is considered invasive in some areas, especially in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

'Rozannie'
This varietal is green-leafed and self-fruitful.

'Nana'
A dwarf variety growing to about three feet tall.

'Variegata' ('Gold Dust')
Dark green leaves are spotted with bright yellow.

'Fructu Albo'
Leaves variegated with white, and berries are a pale pinkish color.

'Picturata'
Leaves are centered with golden yellow and edged with dark green dotted yellow.

'Crotonifolia'
With leaves heavily splashed with both white and gold coloring.

caring for Aucuba

Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden, especially if you have children or pets, as the foliage is toxic if ingested. Aucuba plants are typically purchased as specimens from a reputable nursery. They perform best when planted in shady areas; the leaves, especially in variegated forms, will be brighter the more shade they receive. Plant Aucubas about 2-3 feet apart for best coverage if creating a hedge. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Aucuba shrubs like to get moderate amounts of water to keep soil consistently moist. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These shrubs are slow-growers, but the positive is that they also need very little pruning as a result; Only prune as necessary to trim off dead, dying, or diseased branches. In spring, a light trimming for shape can be completed. If plants are getting overgrown or are in need of a rejuvenation pruning, a third of the shrub's foliage can be pruned back in spring before new growth begins. With proper care Aucuba shrubs can live for 25-30 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate Japanese Aucuba is via cuttings. To propagate your shrub, you'll need a clean, sharp pair of garden shears, a glass jar, moist paper towels, and some water. Later on in the process, or right away depending on which method you'll be using, you'll need a pot filled with potting soil. To complete the propagation process, follow the directions below:

Gather your materials in springtime, when your plant is sending out new growth. Make sure to water the plant the night before; this will increase the chances of a successful propagation. Using garden shears, take a cutting about 4 inches long from the tip of a branch with new growth on the end. Taking the cutting early in the morning will ensure that the cutting will be engorged with water.
Wrap the bottoms of your cuttings in wet paper towels to prevent them from drying out while you bring them indoors, especially if you will not be putting them in water right away.
Fill your glass jar halfway with water, and stick the cutting(s) in. There should be no leaves below the water line. If there are, strip them off of the cutting before setting it into the water. Set the glass jar in an area that receives indirect light. Aucubas rooted in this way do not always put out strong roots, so when roots start to form and reach about an inch long, you'll want to transfer your cutting to a pot filled with potting soil right away. (or you can skip the glass jar step and place your cutting directly into a pot filled with potting soil, it's really your choice).
If you'll be placing your cutting in potting soil right away, remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, and cut the remaining leaves in half. The new roots that form will not be able to support these mature leaves.
Continue to water your cutting. Once it has rooted, which should take just a few weeks, you can move it to a sunnier location close to a window. Repot every few weeks, replacing the potting soil (which will provide more nutrients for your growing cutting).
Once the plant reaches about 2-3 feet tall, it can be planted outside. Follow the planting instructions in the Care section above.

Problems and pests

Aucuba shrubs (namely those in the species Aucuba japonica) are considered invasive plants in some areas, especially in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Check with local authorities before planting. Aucuba shrubs are rarely bothered by pests or disease, though they can be affected by the following from time to time: