About
Aucuba japonica 'Dentata' is an evergreen shrub characterized by its dark green, shiny, serrated leaves. Female plants bear clusters of purple flowers at the tips of the branches in mid-spring, which, after pollination, give way to red berries that appear the following winter.
About the genus
Aucuba are dioecious evergreen shrubs characterized by simple, leathery foliage, with numerous cultivars showcasing attractive variegation. Male plants produce small purple flowers, while female specimens bear large, glossy red berries afterward.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal
- Toxicity
- Fruit is ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit is ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a shady location in fertile, moist but well drained soil. Will grow well in all but waterlogged soils
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus