{"product_id":"aucuba-japonica","title":"Japanese Laurel (Aucuba japonica)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAucuba japonica\u003c\/em\u003e Thunb. var. \u003cem\u003evariegata\u003c\/em\u003e D'Om-Bail. (\u003cem\u003eA. japonica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Variegata')\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spotted Laurel, Yellow-spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Garryaceae (Cornaceae) - Aucuba | Evergreen Shrub \/ Shade-tolerant Foliage Shrub \u0026 Groundcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e1. Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub, 1–2 (up to 3) m tall; thick green twigs; opposite, leathery, elliptic to obovate-elliptic leaves, 8–20 cm long. \u003cstrong\u003eDark green leaves with irregular golden-yellow spots (\"Gold Dust\")\u003c\/strong\u003e; leaf underside is light green or brownish; dioecious (female plants are mostly used in engineering).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers\/Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Male flowers in terminal panicles, female in short axillary racemes, small dark purplish-red (Mar–Apr); female plants produce bright red oval drupes, ~1 cm diameter, persisting through winter (Oct–Dec ripen), contrasting beautifully with green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEvergreen year-round\u003c\/strong\u003e. New light green leaves with yellow spots → mature dark green with gold dust → ornamental red berries in winter. An excellent evergreen groundcover and shade shrub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e2. Ecological Habits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHighly shade-tolerant\u003c\/strong\u003e; typical sciophilous plant, ideal for northern sides of buildings, underpasses, or forest understories. Direct strong sunlight (especially western exposure) can lead to leaf tip burn and fading of yellow spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained slightly acidic sandy loam (pH 5.5–6.5); avoid alkaline soil (causes yellowing) and waterlogging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\/Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Optimal 15–25°C; tolerates short-term -5 to -8°C (common in open ground in Central\/East China; container cultivation or root protection recommended in North China). Likes humid air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pruning-resistant, strong budding power, pollution-resistant (dust trapping, absorbing harmful gases). Very few pests\/diseases (occasional anthracnose or scale insects).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e3. Landscape Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstory Groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted under tall trees or at forest edges to fill lower layers with evergreen cover. One of the most typical shade-tolerant groundcover shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuilding North Side \/ Shady Foundation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting around foundations, wall interiors, and above underground garage entrances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverpass \/ Tunnel Greening:\u003c\/strong\u003e Normal growth and color maintenance in low-light areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThemed Gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pair with Fatsia japonica, broad-leaved Ophiopogon, and Hosta for shade garden compositions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainer Display:\u003c\/strong\u003e Potted display in large shady spaces like hotel lobbies and office atriums.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e4. Quality Indicators (Example - Container Seedlings)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003e5. Planting \u0026 Maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and Autumn are best; container seedlings can be planted year-round (avoid peak summer sun).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light pruning in the growing season for height\/width control; moderate heading back after flowering or in early spring; heavy pruning every 3–4 years to rejuvenate old plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater \u0026 Fertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep watering at planting; top-dress with organic or acidic compound fertilizers in the growing season; use iron supplements in alkaline areas to prevent yellowing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePest Control:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rare; ensure ventilation and drainage to prevent root rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hyc-common-markdown__table-wrapper isDark\" data-has-scroll=\"false\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eItem\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eAge\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e1-2 years old cutting seedlings (primarily female plants to ensure fruiting)\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eHeight (H)\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e25-40 cm \/ 40-60 cm (as requested)\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eCrown Width (P)\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003e≥ 20-30 cm, low branching, ≥ 3-5 branches, dense and not leggy\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003ePot Requirements\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eNursery cup diameter 10-12 cm \/ 12-15 cm, acidic substrate, non-circling roots\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003cth\u003eQuality Requirements\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003ctd\u003eClear variegated spots (no reversion to solid green), dark green leaves, free of anthracnose and scale insects; specify Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","offers":[{"title":"Custom Height \u0026 Crown, Cup\/Pot Seedlings Available","offer_id":45175838244973,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/1727\/7293\/files\/downloaded-image_13_034f943d-82eb-4459-864d-b5e894bbd519.jpg?v=1778828441","url":"https:\/\/virturaintl.com\/products\/aucuba-japonica","provider":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","version":"1.0","type":"link"}