Japanese Aucuba ’Gold Dust’

Aucuba japonica ‘Gold Dust’

Characteristics

Culture

Japanese Aucuba ’Gold Dust’ plants produce large, dark green leaves that look as though they’ve been speckled with yellow paint, adding a tropical feel to any garden. It is exceptionally easy to grow in locations that provide well-draining soil and shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. Hot afternoon sun will scorch the leaves causing them to turn black in color. It is very drought tolerant when established, making it suitable for growing under large shade trees where not many other plants will grow. No pruning is required, though stray or broken branches can be removed any time of year. Creates an interesting privacy hedge in a shady location where not many choices are available.  You will be hard pressed to notice the flowers on aucuba. Like hollies and the ginkgo tree, this plant is dioecious (i.e. a plant is either male or female). The individual flowers are very small, a soft purple in color, and appear in March/April. Male flowers are born in an upright panicle above the foliage, but the female flowers, which develop in the axil of leaves, are more hidden from view.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Aucuba japonica, 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. Native to moist woodland areas, thickets, valleys and along streams from Japan and China to the Himalayas.  ‘Gold Dust’ acuba, sometimes commonly called gold dust laurel, is a cultivar whose green leaves are attractively and irregularly variegated with yellow spots and blotches. Foliage color can vary considerably depending on the amount of sun exposure. Best foliage colors generally occur in part shade locations. Yellow spots on the deep green leaves may fade in too much shade. On the other hand, green leaf color may fade to various shades of yellow sometimes with accompanying foliage burn in full sun locations.

Problems

Generally easy to grow. Root rot may occur in poorly-drained or overly-wet soils. Watch for winter dieback in cold winter areas. Southern blight. Fungal leaf spot. Potential insect problem are nematodes, scale and mealybugs. Spider mites can be troublesome indoors.

Garden Uses

Hedge. Screen. Background. Tubs, planters and containers for patios and terraces. Window boxes. Indoor house plant for cool rooms.