Aucuba shrubs are evergreen perennial shrubs growing 5-6 feet high with large, glossy laurel-like green or variegated leaves and clusters of red fruits with single seeds inside each fruit cluster. Flowers are small and not showy; male and female flowers appear on separate plants. Found growing wild throughout Japan, China and the Himalayas as part of the Dogwood family Cornaceae; their name derives from Japanese for this shrub, aokiba. Aucubas may survive outdoors near New York City but only where mild winter conditions prevail – most commonly outdoor conditions allow this.
Aucubas make beautiful pot plants, perfect for cool rooms and sun porches alike, or as terrace plants in large pots or tubs. Their low water needs allow them to flourish in any soil type from spring through fall; during the winter months drier conditions should prevail.
Will Grow Well Under Trees
Hostas thrive in any healthy garden soil, be it full sun or partial shade. Their deep-root systems tolerate dry conditions better than many other evergreens; making them one of the best evergreen choices to use as shade trees provide shade. Hostas even thrive where other plants and shrubs would perish under large tree canopy shades and driplines, provided soil conditions do not become impoverished enough. Propagation via cuttings.
When to Take Cuttings Terminal shoots with two to three side branches can be placed in a propagating case in a greenhouse with temperatures at 60 degrees, in spring or summer, for root formation in several weeks and soon afterwards planted out of doors. Cuttings taken later on, for instance in August in cold frames will also produce roots quickly enough.
Sowing Seeds and Layering Cleansed seeds may be sown immediately as soon as they ripen in autumn in pots of sandy soil in a greenhouse at 50-55 degrees, either directly from their nests or from branches layered during spring, with large shrubs being divided in September; cuttings have generally proven sufficient for stock propagation purposes.
Pruning requirements for young plants are minimal as they develop naturally into shapely bushes; overgrown ones should be cut back by March/April; planting can occur either spring or fall.
Aucuba japonica’s green leaves make up most of its surface area; however, variegated forms with both green and pale yellow variegation are most often grown for their prolific crop of berries. A male plant should be planted between every six female plants in order to achieve optimal fruiting results; two excellent options with variegated green and pale yellow variegata leaves include Gold Dust Tree Variegata (variegata) and picturata (also referred to as Latimaculata and Aureomaculata).
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