Spotted Japanese Aucuba

The Picturata Aucuba is one of the most shade tolerant shrubs available. It grows well in deep, full shade, staying bushy and rounded. It reaches 4 to 6 feet after a few years, eventually growing even taller. The large leathery leaves have a bold golden-yellow center with a green margin spotted with gold. Bring brightness to your darkest beds with this great evergreen, which thrives where nothing else will. Grow it as a houseplant in colder zones, all year round or outdoors during the summer months. It looks great in a tub on a shady patio.

• Extremely tolerant of deep, full shade
• Glossy leaves are spotted, with a bright yellow center
• Can be grown as a houseplant too
• Grows well in urban soil and difficult gardens
• Resistant to deer and drought

The Picturata Aucuba will grow well even in zone 6, and it thrives in all the warm zones, including southern Florida. It grows in all well-drained soils, including poor urban soils, the soil beneath large trees, and in coastal soils as well. It is normally free of pests or diseases, and untroubled by deer. It can be trimmed with hand pruners if you want, but its natural bushy form makes it basically maintenance-free.