spotted laurel
Aucuba japonica
USDA zones6 to 9
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size6 to 10 feet tall5 to 9 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Reddish-purple
- Foliage color
- Gold/yellow, green, variegated
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica) is a shrub for hedges, privacy screens, shade gardens, and containers. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to wet soil of most types. It is evergreen, so it keeps its gold, green, and variegated leaves through winter. It grows slowly in an arching form, and it tolerates drought and salt.
Pairs well with Lenten rose, Autumn fern, and White bigleaf hydrangea.
Native range
China, Taiwan, and southern Japan.