Aucuba japonica

Aucuba japonica ‘Picturata’

Spotted laurel

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Aucuba japonica 'Picturata'
  • Common name: Spotted laurel
  • Family: Garryaceae
  • Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Foliage colour:

Variegation

Aucuba japonica ‘Picturata’ is a dense, bushy evergreen shrub, highly valued for its variegated green and yellow foliage. Small purple-red flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries.

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Like all aucuba varieties, Aucuba japonica ‘Picturata’ 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. Shrubs may be strictly pruned as hedges, left to grow unchecked, or lightly trimmed to shape once annually, always using secateurs to avoid cutting the large leaves.

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Read our full guide to growing aucuba.

How to grow Aucuba 'Picturata'

  • Plant size

    2.5m height

    2.5m spread

  • Aspect

    North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing

  • Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do Plant in July

Do Plant in August

Do Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Prune
Prune

Do not Prune in January

Do not Prune in February

Do not Prune in March

Do Prune in April

Do Prune in May

Do not Prune in June

Do not Prune in July

Do not Prune in August

Do not Prune in September

Do not Prune in October

Do not Prune in November

Do not Prune in December

Aucuba 'Picturata' and wildlife

Aucuba 'Picturata' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Aucuba 'Picturata' poisonous?

Aucuba 'Picturata' can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Horses

Toxic to People

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Livestock

Plants that go well with Aucuba 'Picturata'

97286
Plants

Fatsia japonica

Japanese aralia
91303
Plants

Maianthemum racemosum

False solomon's seal