Overview

Aucuba japonica (m) is a bushy shrubs in the genus Aucuba, part of the Garryaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 3.0 m tall. Aucuba japonica (m) grows best in full sun and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include hedging and screens, coastal, low maintenance, patio and container plants, city and courtyard gardens and cottage and informal garden.

About

Aucuba japonica is an evergreen shrub often seen in variegated forms and reaching around 3.0 m. It tolerates both full sun and full shade and grows on a wide range of soils. The plant has a well-branched, rounded habit and flowers in March to April. It suits hedging, containers and exposed sites in towns or on the coast.

About the genus

Aucuba is a genus of three to ten species of flowering plants, now placed in the family Garryaceae, although formerly classified in the Aucubaceae or Cornaceae.

Wikipedia contributors, "Aucuba", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aucuba

In the garden

Aucuba japonica originates from East Asia and is widely grown in UK gardens for its evergreen foliage and tolerance of varied conditions. It will reach about 3.0 m at maturity and is usually carried as a multi-stemmed, well-branched shrub. Sit Aucuba japonica in anything from full sun to full shade; it accepts north- to south-facing aspects and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. It adapts to sandy, loamy or clay soils across acid, neutral and alkaline pH, but prefers soil that is moist yet well-drained rather than waterlogged. The plant is rated H5, meaning it is hardy in most UK gardens. Use it where an evergreen screen or low-maintenance barrier is wanted: hedging and screens, coastal positions, patios in containers, city courtyards and informal or cottage gardens. Allow roughly 3.0 m of space for a mature specimen when planting for a screen or placing in a large container, and avoid persistently waterlogged planting holes to reduce stress on the roots.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Aucuba

Sunlight

Full sun, Full shade

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Aspect

North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Aucuba japonica (m) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

3.0 m

Suggested uses

Hedging and screens, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Aucuba japonica (m)

Propagation

Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer to autumn

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Frequently asked questions