Botanical Name:
Aucuba Japonica
Life Cycle:
perennial flowering shrub
Planting Time:
spring
Height:
up to 10'
Exposure:
shade
Soil:
rich, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
zones 7-9
Bloom Time:
late winter or very early spring
Flower:
blue or purple; when a male plant is present nearby, female plants produce clusters of bright red berries in the fall
Foliage:
evergreen shrub with shiny green leaves (sometimes with yellow or white markings)
Propagation:
cuttings
Suggested Use:
foundation plantings, shrubs, accents, seaside gardens, patios or containers
Growing Hints:
Start with purchased plants or rooted cuttings taken from a mature plant in late winter. Shrub grows into a tidy 5' round bush in about 4 years and reaches its full height in approximately 10 years. Care should be taken to avoid digging near its shallow roots. The Japanese Acuba is very pollution and drought tolerant making it a good choice for seaside landscaping. Fertilizing in spring will encourage berry production.
Interesting Facts:
Too much sun will cause leaves to become sunburned. On the other hand, too much shade will cause varieties with variegated leaves to lose their color.
