Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust' aka 'Variegata'
Overview
Uses: A mid-size plant for containers, patios, and gardens. Perfect for hedging and privacy!
Benefits: Leaves look like they've been splashed with gold! Bushy and evergreen! Easy to take care of. Fast-growing!
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 - 10
Sun: Partial shade to shade
Life Cycle: Perennial
Mature Height: 6' - 10' (easily kept shorter with pruning)
Mature Width: 5' - 6' (easily kept thinner with pruning)
Bloom Season: Spring (insignificant)
Summary
Dense, heavily-variegated evergreen foliage provides year-round visual interest!
Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust' —commonly referred to as spotted laurel, and Japanese laurel—is a beautiful evergreen shrub with bright golden variegated foliage with attractive edges! Truly ideal for any shaded garden, it's able to be used as a specimen plant, plus functions wonderfully when planted in rows and used as hedging! Its thick, evergreen growth is sure to provide privacy in no time!
Remarkably low-maintenance and can tolerate heavy shade, drought, pollution, clay, salt, and even deer.
Its strong, healthy growth can reach up to 10 feet tall in as little as 6 years!
Perfect for year-round color in your garden. Does wonderfully indoors, too!
'Gold Dust' is a female cultivar of Aucuba japonica, and will produce berries in the fall if pollinated by a male cultivar like Mr. Goldstrike. In addition to visual appeal, the berries attract and provide food for birds.
Plant 5' apart when using to form a hedge.
Care
Aucuba Care
Requires partial shade to full shade. Strong sunlight will cause leaf burn. Morning sunlight exposure is encouraged and supports variegation. Insufficient light will cause growth issues.
Attempt to keep its soil slightly moist but not wet. Although it will handle drier conditions, it's suggested to water your Aucuba in times of drought.
If growing as a container plant in zones colder than 6, it's suggested to prevent exposing this plant to extreme temperatures by bringing it into a protected, slightly heated area over winter.
Plant in well draining soil. Do not plant in areas prone to waterlogging!
Year round fertilization is suggested if planting in containers. Our slow release fertilizer is a great option.
Trim to shape as required, and to encourage a bushy growth habit. Trimming may be done at any time of year.
Size
What Size is your Japanese Laurel for Sale Online?
The Gold Dust Aucuba that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.
How Large Do Japanese Laurel Grow?
Gold Dust Aucuba typically grows to a mature height of 6'-10' and width of 5'-6'.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Gold Dust Aucuba?
Its botanical name is Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust'.
Toxicity and Risks of Gold Dust Aucuba
Aucuba japonica is considered to have a low level of toxicity due to the presence of Aucubin, a glycoside found in its fruits and leaves. Ingestion may cause fever, vomiting, nausea, etc.
