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Key characteristics

Family: Garryaceae
Height: 10 to 15 feet
Width: 10 to 15 feet
Flower color: Small burgundy flowers
Foliage color: Variegated gold and green, glossy
Bloom time: Spring
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Regular to low once established
Maintenance: Low; adaptable to various soils including clay and well-drained types
Growing zone: USDA zones 7a to 10b
Wildlife: Attracts birds with its bright red berries (produced if a male pollinator is nearby)

Shrubs

Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia'

Crotonifolia Japanese Spotted Laurel

Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' is an evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, variegated foliage. The large, leathery leaves feature a vibrant mix of green with golden-yellow speckles, offering year-round interest. This cultivar is particularly admired for its ability to brighten shaded garden spaces. In spring, small burgundy flowers appear, which, if pollinated by a compatible male plant, give way to bright red berries that persist into the fall and winter.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Regular to low once established

Bloom time

Spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Hedging & Privacy
Containers
Specimen Plants

Companion plants

Skimmia · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Pieris · Trillium · Foamflower

Design tip

Use this colorful evergreen to brighten a shady corner, frame an entry, or add structure along a garden path. Pair it with deep green foliage and softer textures to highlight the variegation while creating a lush, layered planting with interest throughout the seasons.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)