Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia — A Bold Evergreen for Shade and Shelter

Aucuba variegata Crotonifolia, Spotted Laurel Crotonifolia, Japanese Laurel Crotonifolia

Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia, often called spotted laurel or Japanese laurel, is one of the most useful and attractive evergreen shrubs in UK gardens. With its striking variegated foliage, tolerance of dry shade, and ability to thrive in difficult conditions, it’s a smart and stylish choice for gardeners who want colour and structure all year round.

Whether you’re planting a hedge, brightening shady borders, or looking for a bold specimen shrub, this resilient evergreen delivers. Its leathery leaves, bright red berries when pollinated, and compact habit make it as beautiful as it is tough.

Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia is a bold, evergreen shrub with large yellow-splashed leaves. It’s a female cultivar of the Japanese spotted laurel, a plant native to East Asia.

The green leaves are thick, leathery, and speckled with golden-yellow blotches—earning it the common name “spotted laurel.” It grows slowly into a rounded shape, reaching up to 2.5 metres in height and spread. It’s part of the Garryaceae family and has become a staple in British gardens for decades thanks to its resilient nature and bold foliage.

Aucuba japonica crotonifolia is especially useful in shady areas of the garden, where other plants often fail. When paired with a male aucuba variety, the female crotonifolia can produce attractive red berries when pollinated, adding interest from autumn into winter.

Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia prefers moist but well-drained soil, though it copes with a wide range of types, including dry soils and coastal conditions. Avoid waterlogged areas, but otherwise it’s forgiving.

While it tolerates sun or shade, its best leaf colour appears in part shade. In a sunny position, the foliage may scorch in very hot spells, especially on dry ground. Add mulch in spring to lock in moisture and improve soil quality.

It thrives in full shade, making it a top choice for the north side of fences, under mature trees, or behind buildings. Its ability to shrug off salt-laden air makes it perfect for coastal gardens.

With a mature height and spread of 1.5 to 2.5 metres, Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia forms a neat, rounded shrub that retains its shape well.

Growth is steady but not rapid, which means you won’t spend your weekends constantly clipping. It’s compact enough for smaller gardens yet robust enough to act as a structural plant in larger borders. You can allow it to grow naturally or lightly prune to maintain its size.

Whether used as a standalone specimen shrub or grouped for impact, its bold leaves and tidy form make it a reliable feature year after year.

Yes—and it makes an excellent dense hedge. It forms a thick wall of evergreen foliage, providing year-round privacy and structure.

Plant at 60cm intervals to form a solid hedge. You can leave it to grow naturally or clip it once a year for a tidy outline. Its resilient character and shade tolerance mean it excels in tough hedging spots, such as alongside buildings, under trees, or next to roads.

Its variegation adds interest to what could otherwise be a plain green screen, and if you plant both male and female forms, you’ll get the bonus of red berries in autumn and winter.

Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia needs very little pruning, but a light tidy in spring will keep it looking sharp.

To prune, remove damaged or straggly stems after the worst of winter has passed. You can also cut back up to one-third of the plant to rejuvenate older shrubs. This encourages strong new growth and maintains a good shape.

For hedges, trim in late spring or early summer. Avoid cutting back in autumn, as winter frosts may damage new growth. If you’re growing for berries, prune lightly to preserve flowering stems.

Yes, although it’s grown primarily for its foliage, Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia also flowers in April and May.

The small, maroon-purple blooms may not be showy, but they’re followed by bright red berries when pollinated by a nearby male. These berries persist into winter, adding a splash of colour and interest.

To enjoy berries, grow a male aucuba nearby—such as Aucuba japonica Rozannie—to ensure cross-pollination. It’s a good idea to plant them in pairs or small groups for best results.

Absolutely. This evergreen shrub is well-suited for large pots or containers, particularly in shaded patios or on balconies.

Use a loam-based compost with added grit for drainage. Water regularly in summer and feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring. It’s a good idea to top-dress annually with fresh compost and mulch to retain moisture.

Container-grown aucuba can be moved to fill seasonal gaps or to act as a focal point near doorways or paths. Its glossy leaves and neat habit add instant structure and colour.

This horticultural gem works beautifully in both formal layouts and informal plantings.

Its bold shape, striking foliage, and neat habit allow it to complement architectural designs, gravel gardens, or shade-loving borders. Whether planted in a clipped hedge or allowed to grow freely as a resilient evergreen shrub, it adds interest and structure.

It blends well with other shade-tolerant shrubs and perennials, offering year-round appeal. Its ability to thrive in neglected corners makes it a real problem-solver for UK gardens.

Growing up, this was one of those plants that quietly did its job year after year in our family garden — tucked beneath a Monkey Puzzle tree, never fussy, always looking good. Even though I don’t have one in my current patch, I still recommend it all the time, especially for those tricky, shady corners where other plants give up. Its bold, spotted foliage lifts a gloomy space, and if you pop a male nearby, the berries are a lovely bonus come winter. For beginners or seasoned gardeners alike, this is one of those dependable shrubs that just gets on with things — no drama, no hassle. If you’re after year-round structure without the high maintenance, Crotonifolia is a solid choice.

Q: What is Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia commonly known as?

A: Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia is commonly referred to as spotted laurel, Japanese laurel, or Japanese spotted laurel. It is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized for its striking, variegated foliage. The glossy green leaves are splashed with golden-yellow markings, making it a valuable addition to shaded or low-light areas in the garden. Its resilience and year-round colour have made it a popular choice for informal hedging, urban planting, and low-maintenance borders.

Q: Where is the best place to plant Crotonifolia in the garden?

A: Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia thrives in full shade to partial shade, making it ideal for shady areas of the garden where other shrubs may struggle. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including dry soils, and is particularly well-suited to coastal locations due to its resistance to salt-laden air. Whether used as a specimen shrub, dense hedge, or part of a mixed border, it offers reliable structure and colour year-round.

Q: How large does Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia grow?

A: This evergreen shrub typically reaches a height and spread of around 1.5 to 2.5 metres (5 to 8 feet), making it a substantial choice for hedging or background planting. It’s a shrubby plant with large, leathery leaves that provides year-round structure and seasonal interest, particularly when its bright red berries appear following pollination. Pruning can help shape its growth and keep it compact in smaller spaces.

Q: How do I care for Japanese laurel, and when should I prune it?

A: Japanese laurel is notably resilient and requires minimal maintenance. It benefits from a light prune in spring, particularly after flowering, to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Apply a layer of mulch annually and feed with a balanced, slow-release compost in spring. Water during dry spells in its first year, but once established, it’s highly drought-tolerant and can thrive in inhospitable sites.

Q: Does Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia produce flowers and berries?

A: Yes, this evergreen shrub produces small purple flowers in April and May, followed by bright red berries when pollinated, typically by a nearby male aucuba. While the flowers are modest, the berries are striking and provide seasonal interest in autumn and winter. These berries are not only ornamental but also highly valued for their support of wildlife.

Q: Is Spotted Laurel suitable for hedging?

A: Absolutely. Crotonifolia forms an excellent, dense hedge with year-round interest. Its thick foliage, tolerance of pollution, and adaptability to dry shade and urban conditions make it particularly well-suited for creating privacy screens, informal hedges, or windbreaks. It’s a top choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance structure in either a sunny or shady location.

Q: Is Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia hardy in the UK?

A: Yes, this shrub is fully hardy throughout the UK and withstands both cold winters and coastal conditions. It’s tough, leathery leaves resist wind and salt damage, making it ideal for coastal gardens, urban environments, and low-maintenance planting schemes. Its adaptability and longevity have earned it the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Q: Where can I buy Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia?

A: Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia is widely available at reputable garden centres and online nurseries across the UK. When searching for Aucuba japonica, look for healthy, bushy specimens with well-defined variegation. Many suppliers also offer male varieties, essential for berry production if that is a desired feature.