Aucuba japonica

Aucuba japonica, the Japanese Laurel, is a compact bush appreciated for its thick, evergreen and decorative foliage, of a shiny dark green. Its preference for shaded situations makes it an essential solution to fill the dark corners of the garden. Robust, hardy, resistant to heat, pollution, and diseases, the Japanese Aucuba will find its place in all gardens, but also on a shaded terrace for the greatest pleasure of city dwellers! 

Belonging to the Cornaceae family, the Aucuba genus includes some species of bushes appreciated for their ability to thrive in dense shade. They all have large, evergreen and decorative leaves, just like the Japanese Aucuba, the most common species in our gardens. Its ease of cultivation and hardiness have led breeders to obtain various varieties, with foliage sometimes variegated, sometimes speckled with white or yellow. The Japanese Aucuba is native to China, Japan and the Himalayas where it grows in the undergrowth to form a large bush that can reach 5 m (16 ft 5 in) in height. In our climates, its size is more modest and does not exceed 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height with a spread of about 2 m. Its slender stems spread by suckers and layering and eventually form a dense bush by supporting one another. Its habit is bushy, rounded and erect. The Japanese Aucuba has a luxuriant dark green foliage of a shiny and leathery appearance. The simple, lanceolate leaves, with unevenly indented edges can exceed 20 cm (7.9 in). In May and June, the Japanese Aucuba blooms with reddish-purple colours. The bush then bears tiny flowers, each with 4 petals, arranged in clusters at the ends of the branches. The flowering is followed by a decorative fruiting in the form of small bright red drupes, which remain on the bush throughout the winter and create a contrast with the foliage. However, note that the Japanese Aucuba is a dioecious plant; only the female plants bear fruits, provided that they are placed near a male plant. These beautiful berries delight birds, but, like the foliage, the fruiting of this bush is toxic if ingested by humans and can cause mild digestive disorders.

The Japanese Aucuba appreciates shaded to slightly sunny locations, cool, fertile, well-drained soils with a neutral or slightly acidic tendency. It has good hardiness (-15°C (5 °F)), as well as remarkable resistance to pollution, sea spray, and high temperatures. Once established, the Aucuba can tolerate short periods of drought without harm. Tolerating pruning, it can be used for hedging, but also fills the back of a free-form bed in both urban and rural areas. In a pot, it dresses up balconies, terraces or inner courtyards, providing some privacy with its dense foliage. Its preference for shade makes it an ideal bush for greening patios and porches. It harmonises well with Bamboos, Cotoneasters or Mahonias. You can also combine it with lower plants such as Japanese Anemones or Heucheras, which will create a colourful contrast. Remarkably resistant to diseases and easy to maintain, the Japanese Aucuba offers pleasant cultivation ease for gardeners, even the most novice ones!