Aucuba - Japonica

Commonly known as Japanese laurel or spotted laurel, is a popular evergreen shrub highly valued for its ability to thrive in deep shade and its vibrant, glossy red berries.

The shrub features large, leathery, dark green leaves, which in many popular cultivars (e.g., 'Variegata', 'Crotonifolia') are heavily speckled or blotched with yellow or cream. In spring, small, insignificant purple flowers appear.

Fruit (Berries): Female plants produce showy, glossy, bright red, egg-shaped berries (botanically, drupes) in autumn that often persist through winter.

Initial Growth: Slow after planting, increasing in speed once established.

Annual Increase: Roughly 20–40 cm per year.

Mature Size: Usually 2.5-4m tall and wide, though easily pruned to maintain a smaller size.

Factors Affecting Growth: Thrives in shade; too much direct sun can slow growth and scorch leaves.