Species spotted laurel
Green-yellow leaves with green berries on brown stem.

spotted laurel

Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike'

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike') is an amazing plant species because of its striking appearance. Its glossy, evergreen leaves consist of yellow spots on a dark green background, making for a beautiful landscape feature all year round. It is also extremely hardy and can thrive in shady spots that other plants struggle to survive in. As if that wasn’t enough, this species is able to tolerate a wide range of soil types and is generally low-maintenance once established. All these qualities combined make spotted laurel an ideal choice for the garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Reddish-purple Flowers

Sun:

full shade,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike') should be watered twice per week, using about 1.5 in (3.8cm) of water per watering. Depending on the climate in which it is growing, spotted laurel may benefit from additional water during periods of extreme heat or drought. To ensure the best growth, check the soil around the tree before watering, and only water if the soil is dry to the touch.

sunlight

The spotted laurel requires partial shade to full shade with some direct sunlight. When the direct sunlight is present, it should be limited to approximately 3 to 4 hours a day during the morning or late afternoon hours. This will ensure that the plant receives the necessary amounts of light without becoming stressed due to too much sun exposure or too little sun to provide nutrients.

pruning

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike') should be pruned at least once yearly in late winter or early spring when the plant is still dormant. Pruning should be minimal, only removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as crossing or overly long branches. If desired, light shaping can be done to remove up to 1-third of the plant's growth. Doing any more than this will result in the plant becoming sparse and unattractive.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map