1 / 4

Key characteristics

Family: Garryaceae
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Width: 4 to 6 feet
Flower color: Small maroon to purple brown flowers borne in clusters
Foliage color: Glossy dark green leathery leaves heavily speckled with bright yellow spots
Bloom time: Early to mid spring, often March to April
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Average
Maintenance: Low; prune in early spring to shape plants and remove damaged or leggy stems
Growing zone: USDA zones 7 to 10
Wildlife: Birds that feed on the bright red berries produced on female plants when a male pollinator is nearby

Shrubs

Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

Variegated Japanese Spotted Laurel

Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' carries glossy, leathery leaves generously speckled with bright golden-yellow markings scattered across deep green surfaces. The broad foliage remains vibrant throughout the year, creating a luminous presence in shaded garden spaces. In spring, small clusters of reddish-purple flowers appear along the stems. Though modest in size, the blooms add subtle seasonal interest among the colorful leaves.

This cultivar traces its origins to Aucuba japonica native to woodland areas of Japan, Korea, and parts of eastern Asia.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Average

Bloom time

Early to mid spring, often March to April

Find this plant

Works well in

Shade Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Woodland Gardens
Specimen Plants

Companion plants

Daphne · Brunnera · Tiarella · Camellia · Bleeding heart · Hellebore

Design tip

Use this colorful evergreen to brighten the middle or back of a shady border where its golden foliage can really stand out. Pair it with deep green shrubs and softer groundcovers to create a lush, layered garden with year-round contrast and interest.