Growing Japanese Aucuba

Botanical Name:

Aucuba Japonica

Life Cycle:

perennial flowering shrub

Planting Time:

spring

Height:

up to 10'

Exposure:

shade

Soil:

rich, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

zones 7-9

Bloom Time:

late winter or very early spring

Flower:

blue or purple; when a male plant is present nearby, female plants produce clusters of bright red berries in the fall

Foliage:

evergreen shrub with shiny green leaves (sometimes with yellow or white markings)

Propagation:

cuttings

Suggested Use:

foundation plantings, shrubs, accents, seaside gardens, patios or containers

Growing Hints:

Start with purchased plants or rooted cuttings taken from a mature plant in late winter. Shrub grows into a tidy 5' round bush in about 4 years and reaches its full height in approximately 10 years. Care should be taken to avoid digging near its shallow roots. The Japanese Acuba is very pollution and drought tolerant making it a good choice for seaside landscaping. Fertilizing in spring will encourage berry production.

Interesting Facts:

Too much sun will cause leaves to become sunburned. On the other hand, too much shade will cause varieties with variegated leaves to lose their color.