Aucuba
( aw- KEW - buh )
At-A-Glance Information
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Aucuba shrubs can be used in a variety of ways to add colorful foliage to your garden. Hailing from Asia, they can be used as hedges, screening specimens, or as accents. These plants can grow in a wide range of soils, but prefer shaded areas and can also tolerate seaside air. Aucuba make good container plants on patios, and can be pruned to control shape or height, competing well with tree roots. These shrubs 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 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, 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.
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Aucuba chinensis (Chinese Aucuba) 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. |
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Aucuba japonica (Japanese Aucuba, Spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant)
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 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.
'Rozannie'
This varietal is green-leafed and self-fruitful. |
'Nana'
A dwarf variety growing to about three feet tall. |
'Variegata'
Known as the 'Gold Dust Plant', this is probably the most widely-recognized aucuba. 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 and pruning Aucuba 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
Aucuba shrubs grow well under trees, and appreciate the filtered shade.
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The light markings on the foliage of many Aucuba cultivars allow them to light up darker corners of the garden.
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The colorful foliage of Aucuba 'Shogun'.
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videos
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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
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
