Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (Gold Dust Laurel) – Evergreen Shrub (7.5L Pot)

A large, established gold dust laurel, ready to bring instant evergreen colour to a shady border.

'Crotonifolia' has the boldest gold speckling of the spotted laurels, carried on big glossy leaves that hold their colour all year. It makes a dense, upright shrub of around 2m to 3m tall and wide and works as well as an informal hedge as it does on its own. Small purple maroon flowers open in spring, and female plants carry bright red berries from autumn through winter when a male plant grows nearby. Deer tend to leave it alone.

Aucuba is one of the few shrubs that genuinely tolerates deep shade, dry soil, pollution and salt wind all at once, which makes it a sound choice for a north facing border, a shaded town garden or an exposed coastal site. It takes sun too where the soil stays moist, though strong midday sun can scorch the leaves, so shade keeps the colour best. Once established it asks for very little beyond an occasional prune in spring. All parts of the plant contain aucubin and are poisonous if eaten.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Spotted laurel, Japanese laurel
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 2m to 3m tall and wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, dense, rounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Shaded and north facing borders, woodland planting, informal hedging, containers, town and coastal gardens
• Foliage: Large, glossy dark green leaves with bold golden yellow speckling, held all year
• Flowering Time: Spring, with small purple maroon flowers. Bright red berries follow from autumn through winter on female plants with a male nearby.
• Planting Position: Full sun to full shade, including dry shade. Takes salt wind and pollution. Grows well in a large container.
• Soil Type: Moist, well drained soil. It tolerates most soil types.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across Britain (RHS H5)
• Maintenance: Low. Prune lightly in spring if you want to keep it smaller.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer, autumn and winter
• Type: Hardy evergreen shrub