Aucuba japonica

 

This easy, super-drought-tolerant, adaptable evergreen for sun or shade earns high marks as a hero of climate change.  It looks great after the worst drought in decades - with no help from this gardener. 

And just imagine how it brightens even the gloomiest spot, and even in the gloomiest months.

It also does well in pots, or as a houseplant.

'Gold Dust', pictured here, is the most common.  But look at these new varieties: 'Picturata'  and Mr. Goldstrike - very cool.

Aucubas are native to large parts of Asia.

Details

• 'Gold Dust' can grow to 10 feet tall by 5-7 feet wide - big - and some have  been known to grow 15 feet tall.  Smaller varieties are available, too.
• Tolerates full shade through full sun, though some leaf burn can result from afternoon sun.
• Sources say it grows well in Zones 6-10, but one Zone 5 contributors to Daves Forum reports that hers is thriving.  Some winter dieback can occur, however, which needs to be pruned away.
• Female plants will berry in the fall if a male is nearby.

Care

• Extremely drought-tolerant.
• Prune to any shape or size.  Aucuba will take any pruning abuse inflicted on it and keep growing back.  For the aucubas in the top photo, once a year I remove some of the taller stems that are starting to bend over, as well as any branches that are hanging over the driveway.
• Grows at a moderate rate, though sources advise that faster growth can be accomplished with yearly fertilizing and regular watering until it's the size you want. 
• Aucuba is famously easy to propagate by rooting.  Some gardeners dust the cutting with rooting hormone; others just stick the cutting in the ground in the shade and water it in.  Voila - new plant.
• As noted above, removal of some winter dieback may be needed.

More Great Info in Print

• Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs by the best-known authority on the subject.
• Taylor's Guide to Shrubs is another good one.

 

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