Gold Dust Aucuba

Introduction

Aucuba is a natural for informal plantings, while the dense, compact form makes it useful as a freestanding specimen in small areas. Only female plants bear red berries in fall and winter, provided there is a male plant close by. Aucuba makes a nice houseplant, and it performs well in a container in the shade.

Use and Management

Aucuba is a great shrub for planting under pines or other tall trees and does well along the foundation on the north side of a building. It prefers a rich, sandy loam with some organic matter but they adapt successfully to a heavier soil as long as drainage is good. They are best when in mass, planted close together because they grow so slowly. Plant 2 to 3 feet apart for the best landscape effect.

Additional Characteristics

• Low maintenance
• Coarse texture
• Slow growth
• Likes shade but will take some sun

Planting

• Typically planted in 1, 3, and 5 gal containers.