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Shrubs

Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust' (f/v)

Japanese laurel 'Gold Dust'

A bushy evergreen shrub, to around 2m high. Leaves are thick, glossy and toothed, and olive green speckled with pale yellow. Clusters of small, red-purple flowers are produced in spring; if pollinated, these are followed by bright red berries in late summer and autumn

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Garryaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: 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
Genus: Aucuba are dioecious evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves, attractively variegated in many cultivars, and small purple flowers followed on female plants by large glossy red fruit
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow in almost any soil or situation except soil prone to waterlogging. Good for difficult planting positions, tolerant of dry soil, pollution and salt winds. Plant male and female plants together to ensure berries

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1; trim hedges in spring; shrubs may be renovated by hard pruning in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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