Laurel. Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is a versatile evergreen shrub suitable for almost anywhere in the garden. Slow-growing, it will only reach 1.8m after 10 years if left unpruned.

Does aucuba like sun or shade?

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 where this shrub is best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Plants need significant amounts of shade in hot summer climates (young leaves will often burn in full sun).

How quickly does aucuba grow?

The Spotted Laurel is a slow growing shrub increasing in height and spread at a rate of 20cm / 8in per year. It is easily pruned to shape and it makes a delightful rounded shrub.

Does aucuba grow in shade?

Aucuba is a resilient shrub that can be grown in full sun, part sun or full shade. Aucuba Japonica, Japanese laurel, is an Asian shrub valued for its tolerance of heavy shade and large, often colorful evergreen leaves. The female Aucuba produces clusters of large berries that turn red in fall.

How often do you water aucuba?

Japanese Aucuba Container Care Water as needed to keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy, as Japanese laurel is prone to root rot. Cut back on water during the winter months and allow the soil to dry between watering.

How do you care for aucuba?

Clean up plants as necessary by snipping off broken, dead, and diseased foliage and twigs. Aucuba shrubs have moderate drought tolerance, but they grow best in moist soil. Water often enough to keep the soil moderately moist using cold water. Hot water from a hose that has been left in the sun can encourage disease.

How do you transplant aucuba?

Dig it up with as large a rootball as you can and replant immediately at the same depth as it grew before. Treat it as you would a newly purchased plant and keep the soil moist but not soggy for the coming year.

Will aucuba grow under trees?

It prefers partial to full shade and well-drained, moist, highly organic soil. Underneath deciduous trees is not a good place as the plant needs shade in the winter as well as in the summer. Leaves exposed to sun will turn black. Aucuba is tolerant of pollution, salt, drought, and coastal conditions.

Is aucuba a deciduous Japonica?

Picturata Japanese Aucuba Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to full shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells, especially in winter; mulch in fall; may be deciduous and suffer some tip dieback in harsh winter.

Why do aucuba leaves turn black?

Some of the aucuba have leaves that are turning black and wilting. … They are suffering from Phytophthora root rot, a soil disease that commonly affects azalea, rhododendron and aucuba shrubs. The fungus itself is present in most soils. There is no way to eliminate it.

How do you take cuttings from aucuba?

How to Propagate Aucuba Japonica Cuttings in Rooting Medium

  1. Fill small pots with a rooting medium that drains freely. …
  2. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem and cut the remaining leaves in half. …
  3. Stick the lower half of the cutting into the soil.

How do you prune aucuba?

Just snip them off in late March or early April along with the tips of any stems that were damaged by cold. As for reshaping and resizing an overgrown aucuba, most people would just shear them back to the desired size at the end of winter.

Can Aucuba take sun?

Aucuba grow and look their best in full shade to part shade. Morning sun is okay but direct afternoon sun can and often will scald leaves.

Are Aucuba deer resistant?

You do not need to prune this plant, but the Aucuba tolerates pruning well. Severe pruning should be done in the spring prior to new growth emerging. Minor pruning can be done anytime of the year. This plant is resistant to insects and disease and tolerant of deer, heat, and pollution.

Why are my Aucuba leaves turning yellow?

Aucuba needs an organic, acid soil that is evenly moist yet well drained meaning damp like a wrung out sponge and not saturated/sopping wet or dried out. Yellowing and dropping foliage can be a sign of overwatering or poorly drained soil, especially if it happens near the bottom of the plant first.

What do you feed aucuba?

Remove affected leaves or shoots in spring. Encourage new growth by feeding with general fertiliser such as Growmore in lateFebruary. Cultivars with heavy yellow spotting on their leaves are best planted in shadier situation as the foliage may be scorched if planted in full sun and very dry soil.

Can aucuba be grown indoors?

Gold dust also known as Japanese Laurel and Japanese Aucuba is grown as a shrub outdoors in zones 7 to 9, but it adapts well to indoor growing conditions. Grow it in a cool, 50 to 65 degree, brightly lit location. Keep the soil evenly moist from spring through fall when the plant is actively growing.

Can aucuba japonica be grown indoors?

This is an evergreen plant that will stay green during all seasons. The botanical name of the gold dust plant is Aucuba Japonica. Most Aucuba Japonica are grown outdoors but can thrive indoors with the right care. … Pollinated flowers from the gold dust plant will result in bright red berries during the winter months.

How do you repot aucuba japonica?

Repot in spring, moving up to a container 1 size larger every 2-3 years, or when needed. If your Japanese aucuba is already big, you can top-dress instead by removing the top 2-3 (5-7.5 cm) inches of soil and replace it with fresh potting soil. Clean those beautiful spotted leaves to keep them dust-free.

When can I move aucuba japonica?

Aucuba japonica in new position Winter time is the perfect time for moving your perennial plants around your garden.

What is a good rooting medium?

Following common rooting media are used:

Is aucuba japonica invasive?

Japanese laurel: Aucuba japonica (Cornales: Cornaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

Are aucuba berries poisonous?

5 Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’) Berries are poisonous if ingested.

Where is aucuba japonica native to?

Aucuba japonica, commonly called spotted laurel, Japanese laurel, Japanese aucuba or gold dust plant (U.S.), is a shrub (15 m, 3.316.4 ft) native to rich forest soils of moist valleys, thickets, by streams and near shaded moist rocks in China, Korea, and Japan.

What is aucuba green?

Though it looks like a tropical plant, Dwarf Green Aucuba is a super-hardy evergreen shrub that features very dark green, sword shaped leaves that contrast nicely with almost any plant nearby. This foliage provides a nice tropical effect in the shady areas of the landscape or gardens.

Will aucuba grow in sandy soil?

The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. … It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.