Aucuba japonica
( aw- KEW - buh ja - PAWN - ick - uh )
At-A-Glance Information
Japanese Aucuba (also commonly called Spotted Laurel, Japanese, Laurel, or Gold Dust Plant) is a shrub that can be used in a variety of ways to add colorful foliage to your garden. Hailing from Japan, they can be used as hedges, screening specimens, or as accents. They can grow in a wide range of soils, but prefer shaded areas and can tolerate seaside air. Also good to use as container plants on a patio, these plants are indispensable. They can be pruned to control shape or height, and compete well with tree roots. These shrubs do produce red fruits, but they are avoided by birds. Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden, especially if you have children or pets, as the foliage is toxic if ingested.
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aucuba japonica Varietals
Japanese Aucuba 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 best in zones 4-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'
Known as the 'Gold Dust Plant', this is probably the most widely-recognized aucuba. It has dark green leaves spotted with bright yellow, and makes a great addition to shaded areas of your garden that need some bright color. Plants can be male or female.
Known as the 'Gold Dust Plant', this is probably the most widely-recognized aucuba. It has dark green leaves spotted with bright yellow, and makes a great addition to shaded areas of your garden that need some bright color. Plants can be male or female.
caring for and pruning Aucuba japonica shrubs
As stated previously, these shrubs love being planted in shaded conditions; the leaves (especially in variegated forms) will be brighter the more shade they receive. They prefer well-draining soil that is kept somewhat on the moist side, with a good amount of organic material added. Plant shrubs about 2-3 feet apart for best coverage if creating a hedge. They are slow-growers, but the positive is that they also need very little pruning. Only prune as necessary to trim off dead or dying branches.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Japanese Aucuba is via cuttings; if you've never propagated a plant in this way, this is actually a great plant to start with. 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 your 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 your cutting 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 japonica is rarely bothered by pests or disease, though they can be affected by the following:
- Scale Insects
Gallery
videos
Aucuba japonica.
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How to identify a Japanese Aucuba.
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How to grow and care for your Japanese Aucuba.
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How to propagate your Aucuba japonica by cutting.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 179, Aucuba japonica
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