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Broad Leafed Evergreens - Aucuba

© Marge Talt

If you need an evergreen shrub for that really dark shady spot, then Aucuba is the one for you.

Belonging to the same family as Dogwoods (Cornus), Cornaceae, but not resembling them in the least, are a small group of 3 to 7 species of evergreen shrubs native mostly to Japan. There is one, A. chinensis, native to Western China. This one is not commonly available and probably not hardy below 14F (-10C). Most readily available is Aucuba japonica and it's cultivars.

All Aucubas have leathery, lustrous elliptic leaves varying from 3" to 8" long. The leaf edges are smooth except for the cultivar 'Serratifolia' (sometimes listed as 'Dentata') which has large teeth along the margin.

They are all dioecious, which means that male and female flowers are on separate plants and, like Hollies, you have to have both sexes to get flowers and berries. The flowers are not particularly showy, although the berry-like drupes can be, when not hidden by the foliage. These are primarily foliage plants.

A. japonica is most commonly available with either a solid green leaf or a gold variegated one. I understand that there is also one that has a silver variegation, 'Fructu Albo'. I've never seen this, but it sounds nice.

A. j. 'Variegata', the true Gold Dust Plant was introduced in 1783 and has been popular as a garden plant from USDA zones 7 to 10, and as a houseplant in colder zones, ever since. Photo is from the Gardening.com Plant Encyclopedia site. Some sources rate the plant hardy only to USDA z.8, but I grow these in USDA z.7, so I think a z. 8 rating is a bit conservative. But, this is not a plant for really cold climates and exposed locations, USDA z. 7 and south only. It absolutely must have shade, particularly in the deep south, and that includes winter shade. New growth will blacken in winter sun where nights are frosty and the leaves can turn a sickly yellowish-green.

Some of the other readily available cultivars are:

'Crotonifolia' - gold and/or white variegation

'Longifolia' - A catch all name for the narrow-leaf forms that include 'Angustifolia' and 'Salicifolia'

'Macrophylla' - dark-green foliage;

'Nana' - compact, dwarf form;

'Picturata' - leaves with solid yellow blotch in the middle, surrounded by smaller yellow flecks.

Aucubas usually range from 6 to 10 feet in height. They can get to be 15' tall under ideal conditions. They are not fast growing shrubs, but can be encouraged along with extra feeding and watering.

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