Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' – Common Name: Spotted Laurel – A Bold and Attractive Evergreen Shrub for Year-Round Interest
Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', commonly known as Spotted Laurel, is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its eye-catching foliage and versatility in the garden. Native to East Asia, this cultivar of Aucuba japonica features large, glossy leaves splashed with yellow or gold spots, making it a standout plant in any landscape. With its ability to thrive in shade and its low-maintenance care requirements, 'Crotonifolia' is perfect for adding bold color and texture to shaded or partially shaded areas of your garden. It’s also an excellent choice for container planting or as an attractive hedge or border plant.
Why Plant
- Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (Spotted Laurel)? Unique and Bold Foliage – The most distinctive feature of Spotted Laurel is its striking leaves, which are dark green with bright yellow or gold spots. The leaves have a glossy, leathery texture, giving the shrub an elegant and tropical appearance. This dramatic foliage remains vibrant throughout the year, providing interest even in winter months when many other plants have faded.
- Evergreen Beauty – As an evergreen shrub, Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' maintains its attractive foliage year-round, making it a valuable addition to gardens that need consistent color. In winter, when many plants are dormant or bare, Spotted Laurel continues to provide visual appeal, brightening up shady corners or areas where other plants may struggle.
- Shade Tolerant – One of the key advantages of Spotted Laurel is its ability to thrive in shady conditions. Unlike many other plants that require full sun to perform well, 'Crotonifolia' is perfect for those hard-to-plant areas with dappled shade or full shade. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shady borders, or areas with limited sunlight.
- Low Maintenance – 'Crotonifolia' is relatively easy to care for once established. It is tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, including poor soil and dry shade, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes. With minimal pruning and occasional watering during dry periods, this shrub will continue to thrive without much attention.
- Wildlife-Friendly – While not particularly known for attracting pollinators with its small, inconspicuous flowers, Spotted Laurel provides shelter for birds and small wildlife. Its dense, bushy habit offers a refuge for birds, and the shrub’s evergreen nature creates year-round shelter for creatures in the garden.
How to Grow
- Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (Spotted Laurel) Soil – Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' is adaptable to a variety of soils but prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. It will tolerate poorer soil conditions, including clay or sandy soils, as long as the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Adding organic matter can improve the soil and promote healthy growth.
- Light – This shrub thrives in shade or partial shade, making it perfect for areas that receive limited sunlight. It can tolerate full shade but may not produce as much vibrant color in deep shade. If planted in a location with some morning sun or filtered light, 'Crotonifolia' will exhibit its bold foliage to its fullest potential.
- Watering – While Spotted Laurel is relatively drought-tolerant once established, it does appreciate regular watering during dry spells. Keep the soil consistently moist but well-drained, as this shrub does not like sitting in waterlogged soil. Mulching around the base can help retain moisture and protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
- Pruning – Pruning is generally not necessary for Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', as the shrub has a naturally rounded form. However, if needed, you can lightly prune it to maintain its shape or remove any damaged or dead branches. The best time to prune is in early spring before new growth begins, but be careful not to remove too much foliage, as this can diminish its visual impact.
- Fertilizing – This shrub has moderate fertilization needs. If planted in rich, fertile soil, it may not require additional feeding. However, if growth seems slow or the soil is poor, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring. Avoid excessive fertilizing, as this can lead to excess foliage growth and weak stems.
- Winter Care – Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10, and it is typically quite resilient during the winter months. However, in areas with severe cold, it may benefit from a layer of mulch to protect the roots from freezing temperatures. As an evergreen, its foliage can withstand cold weather, but it’s best to avoid planting it in areas subject to harsh winter winds, which can cause leaf scorch.
Where to Site
- Your Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (Spotted Laurel) Spotted Laurel is an excellent choice for a variety of garden settings, particularly those with shaded or partially shaded conditions:
- Shady Gardens – One of the best locations for Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' is in areas of your garden with limited sunlight. It thrives in deep or dappled shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or areas under trees where grass or other plants may struggle to grow.
- Foundation Plantings – Spotted Laurel works well as a foundation planting around the base of a house, where its vibrant foliage contrasts beautifully with more neutral-colored exteriors. Its compact size and bushy form make it a good choice for framing windows or doors, adding color and interest to the landscape.
- Container Planting – Due to its compact size and tolerance for shade, 'Crotonifolia' is also an excellent choice for container planting. It can be placed on shaded patios, balconies, or terraces, providing a burst of color and texture in outdoor living spaces. Ensure the container has adequate drainage to keep the roots healthy.
- Mixed Borders and Hedges – Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' can be used as a border shrub or hedge plant, providing year-round color and structure. Its dense foliage creates a lovely backdrop for other plants and pairs well with ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving plants. It can also be used to create a low-maintenance, evergreen privacy screen in shaded areas.
- Wildlife Gardens – While not known for its flowers or fruit, the dense, evergreen foliage of 'Crotonifolia' provides excellent shelter for birds and small wildlife. It makes a great addition to a wildlife-friendly garden, offering year-round protection and an attractive visual element.
Conclusion Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', or Spotted Laurel, is a striking and versatile evergreen shrub that brings year-round interest to shaded and partially shaded gardens. With its bold, glossy, spotted leaves and low-maintenance nature, it is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking an attractive, easy-care shrub. Whether used as a focal point, foundation planting, or border shrub, 'Crotonifolia' offers vibrant color and texture, even in the darkest corners of your garden. Its adaptability to different soil types and growing conditions, combined with its year-round beauty, makes it a must-have for any garden, particularly those with shaded or low-light areas
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
