Susan is also blogging at GardenRant.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.
A Reader's Input
"I can attest to acuba’s hardiness in zone 5 also. Here in northeastern CT (5b?) conditions can be quite harsh and closer to zone 4 at times! In previous years, I was able to place a giant pot over it to protect it, but this year it will be too big, so I’ll probably have to go the burlap route. I also put down straw mulch. It’s planted on the northeast side of the garage, so it gets a little morning sun and some protection, although it’s straight in the path of our winter winds coming down the hill.