Folk name: Bread tree
Plant height: approx. 2 m - 3 m
Deciduous: No
Hardy: Yes
Description: The Aucuba has beautiful oblong dark green with yellow spotted leaves. The flower of the Aucuba is purple and the fruit colour, the berries, is red.
Pruning: in March. The Aucuba stands up well to pruning.
Flowering time: The plant flowers in April and May
Pitch:
In the garden, the Aucuba is excellent for use in shady areas where little else will grow. It grows excellently under trees. Humus-rich or light clay soil is excellent, although the plant also grows in poorer soils: it is not at all fussy. In shady places, berry production is even better than in full sun. The beautiful contrast between the green, yellow-spotted leaves and the red berries makes the plant a welcome filler for the shaded areas in any garden.
Care:
In the pot, it is better to bring it inside in winter and put it inside in a cool but preferably frost-free place. During the cool period, the plant will manage with very little water; however, the soil should not be completely dry. You can soak the plant in a bucket of water before planting it in the garden.
History:
Aucuba japonica is native to Japan, and the only species widely planted in western Europe. The species was introduced to Europe by Phillip Franz von Siebold in 1856. Although probably John Graeffer introduced the first shrub in 1783, it became popular only after von Siebold's action.
Significance:
From the Latin translation of the Japanese name aokuba or aokiba.
