Aucuba ‘Japonica Variegata Spotted Laurel’ — Evergreen Shrub, 2L Pot
Aucuba ‘Japonica Variegata Spotted Laurel’ — Evergreen Shrub, 2L Pot
Aucuba ‘Japonica Variegata Spotted Laurel’ — a hardy garden shrub with flowering spring. Supplied as an established specimen in a 2L pot, grown peat-free at our Yorkshire nursery and ready to plant out.
At a glance
- Type: Evergreen shrub
- Mature size: 2–3 m × 2–3 m
- Flowering: Spring (March–April; small reddish-purple flowers)
- Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade (tolerates some sun)
- Attracts: Birds and Garden Wildlife
- Supplied as: Single plant in a 2L pot
The detail
Bring year-round colour and interest to even the shadiest corners of your garden with the Aucuba japonica 'Variegata', commonly known as Spotted Laurel. This striking hardy evergreen shrub is prized for its bold, glossy dark green leaves generously speckled with golden-yellow spots, creating a naturally vibrant display throughout every season. Exceptionally shade-tolerant, it thrives where many other plants struggle, making it an invaluable addition to north-facing borders, woodland gardens and shaded patio containers.
Supplied as an established plant in a 2 litre pot, this Aucuba is ready to plant out or pot on. It is a robust, low-maintenance shrub that tolerates pollution, coastal conditions and a wide range of soil types. As a female cultivar, it can produce attractive bright red berries from autumn into winter when a male Aucuba is planted nearby for pollination.
Why ours
Grown by us in Yorkshire, in peat-free compost, shipped in plastic-free packaging. Every plant arrives strong, well-rooted and ready to thrive — not weeks of waiting before it gets going. Each order includes access to our free care app with planting and seasonal care reminders.
How to grow
| Botanical name | Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' |
| Mature size | 2–3 m × 2–3 m |
| Growth habit | Bushy, Dense, Rounded Evergreen Shrub |
| Position | Partial Shade to Full Shade (tolerates some sun) |
| Soil | Moist, Well-Drained; Tolerates Most Soil Types |
| Flowering | Spring (March–April; small reddish-purple flowers) |
| Hardiness | Fully Hardy (RHS H5) |
| Attracts | Birds and Garden Wildlife |
| Best for | Shade Gardens, Borders, Containers, Woodland Gardens, Hedging |
Frequently asked
How big will it grow?
2–3 m × 2–3 m. Most established shrubs reach mature size within 3–5 years.
When should I plant it?
Container-grown shrubs can be planted year-round in the UK, but autumn and spring give the best establishment. Avoid planting in extreme heat or frozen ground.
When does it flower?
Expect flowers from spring (march–april; small reddish-purple flowers).
What size pot does it arrive in?
Supplied as a single specimen in 2L pot, well-rooted and ready to plant out or pot on.