Aucuba

November 17, 2024 Post a Comment

Aucuba

Like all aucuba varieties, 'Crotonifolia' will grow in shade, although its gold-blotched and finely-speckled leaves colour best in full sun. It thrives in most soils, including dry ground near hedges and trees.

How tall does aucuba get?

Aucuba japonica, commonly called spotted laurel, is a rounded, shade-loving, evergreen shrub in the Garryaceae family, a small family that includes just two genera Garrya and Aucuba. It typically grows to 6-10' (infrequently to 15') tall, unless pruned shorter.

Is aucuba fast growing?

Aucuba grows slowly, taking 10 to 20 years to reach a mature height of 6 to 10 feet and spreading to cover a 4- to 6-feet diameter; under ideal conditions, it can reach more than 15 feet tall. The plant thrives as a groundcover or hedge in dry, shaded areas that are unsuitable for most plants.

Can aucuba grow in full sun?

Aucuba is a resilient shrub that can be grown in full sun, part sun or full shade. Aucuba Japonica, Japanese laurel, is an Asian shrub valued for its tolerance of heavy shade and large, often colorful evergreen leaves. The female Aucuba produces clusters of large berries that turn red in fall.

Does aucuba spread?

wide (150-270 cm). Female plants tend to spread more than male plants. A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerant to a wide range of soils but will grow and look better if poor or heavy soils are improved. Tolerant of pollution and drought.

What can I plant next to aucuba?

In the tropical-style garden, group aucubas boldly with fatsias, hostas or plantain lilies. In both the tropical and woodland settings, use the variegated forms with blue hydrangeas. The combination is a little gaudy but very colorful. Bedding plants also work quite well as companions.

Can you keep aucuba small?

Although the plant needs little maintenance, it does respond well to pruning to maintain size and a compact form. The plant is a broadleaf evergreen, which should be pruned in early spring for best results.

How much sun can aucuba take?

Aucuba grow and look their best in full shade to part shade. Morning sun is okay but direct afternoon sun can and often will scald leaves.

Is aucuba winter hardy?

It is a member of the Garryaceae or dogwood family. It can be grown in zones 7 to 9 and is cold hardy to about minus 5 degrees.

Why has my aucuba gone black?

The blackening of the leaves is usually caused by root stress due to excess moisture levels in the soil during cold, wet winters. Other forms of stress, including root diseases (mainly phytophthora root rots) might also be involved.

Do aucuba have deep roots?

As is true of all drought-tolerant plants, Aucuba needs to be irrigated regularly for the first few months to allow it to grow a deep enough root system to compete.

Is Japanese aucuba invasive?

Japanese laurel is native only to Japan, and Korea, where it grows along streams and in moist woodland areas and thickets. It has been introduced sporadically in Europe, East Asia, and the US as a garden plant. It is considered invasive in Virginia.

Are aucuba safe for dogs?

ANSWER: I'm no expert on this subject but my research indicates that Spotted Laurels (aucuba) are only mildly poisonous to dogs. Unless a large amount was eaten it seems unlikely it would cause a seizure.

Can aucuba be divided?

Three years later, you'd never know my Japanese aucubas started as divided transplants. They looked scrawny for the first season as they put down roots, but then they began to flourish. If you've got the right kind of shrubs, division can be a great way to turn one shrub into many.

Will aucuba grow under trees?

Aucuba is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10. It prefers partial to full shade and well-drained, moist, highly organic soil. Underneath deciduous trees is not a good place as the plant needs shade in the winter as well as in the summer. Leaves exposed to sun will turn black.

Is aucuba slow growing?

Light up a shade border with gold dust plant, also called aucuba. This slow-growing, evergreen shrub has yellow speckled foliage or bright green glossy foliage depending on the cultivar. It keeps its leaves year-round, providing color and texture when other plants go dormant for winter.

What should you not plant in the same spot?

Some plants compete for nutrients or space, or they attract damaging insects or fungus. Here are some incompatible plant combinations.

Beans and Onions.
Tomatoes and Corn.
Potatoes and Sunflowers.
Asparagus and Garlic.
Celery and Carrots.
Eggplant and Fennel.
Cucumber and Rosemary.
Lettuce and Garlic.

How far apart do you plant aucuba?

The plant will tolerate poor soils and urban conditions like air pollution. The foliage is susceptible to windburn so plant in a protected area. Spotted laurel typically grows 6 to 10 feet (infrequently to 15 feet) tall, unless pruned shorter. Plant 3 to 6 feet apart.

Should you prune aucuba?

Aucuba as hedging Aujcuba responds well to regular pruning, making it also a good choice for hedging in shady spots where other hedging plants would struggle.

How do you shape Acuba?

As for reshaping and resizing an overgrown aucuba, most people would just shear them back to the desired size at the end of winter. That'll work, but I think a better way is to use hand-pruners to first thin out excess and crossing branches, then prune back the remaining branches by about one-third.