Botanical Name: Aucuba japonica

Phonetic: Awe-Koo-Buh juh-Pon-ih-kuh

Common Name(s): Japanese Aucuba, Spotted Laurel

Family: Garryaceae
Origin: China, Taiwan, southern Japan
Plant Type: Shrub
Persistence: Evergreen

Leaf Type: Simple, elliptic to narrow-ovate
Number of Leaflets: –
Leaf Color: Leathery, glossy, medium to rich green
Fall Color: –
Texture: Medium
Density: Dense
Bloom Season: Spring
Flower Color(s): Reddish-purple, purple-maroon

Exposure: Part shade to full shade
USDA: 7-9
Growth Rate: Medium                
Height: 6-10 Feet
Spread: 5-9 Feet
Hydrozone: Medium
Pest/Diseases: No serious problems, easy to grow, might get root rot, winter dieback, fungal leaf spot, nematodes, scale, mealybugs, spider mites
Soil: Moist, organically rich, well-drained soils

Features: Winter interest, low maintenance, showy fruit and flower, established plants adapt to drought, tolerates air pollution, rounded grow habit, shade-loving, red fruit in fall
Uses: Container plant, houseplant (cool rooms), hedge, screen, background, window boxes