Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' (Spotted Laurel) – Evergreen Shrub (2L Pot)

A bold evergreen with big glossy leaves flecked all over in gold, bright enough to lift the darkest corner of a garden.

'Crotonifolia' carries the most generous gold speckling of the spotted laurels. It builds into a dense, rounded shrub of about 2m to 3m tall and wide, and stays smaller with regular pruning. Small purple red flowers open in spring, and female plants carry red berries from autumn into winter when a male plant grows nearby. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Deer tend to leave it alone.

Aucuba is one of the few shrubs that genuinely tolerates deep shade, dry soil, pollution and salt wind all at once, which makes it a sound choice for a north facing border, a shaded town garden or an exposed coastal site. It takes sun too where the soil stays moist, though strong midday sun can scorch the leaves, so shade keeps the colour best. Once established it asks for very little beyond an occasional prune in spring. All parts of the plant contain aucubin and are poisonous if eaten.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Spotted laurel, Japanese laurel
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 2m to 3m tall and wide, and can be kept smaller with regular pruning
• Growth Habit: Bushy, dense, rounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Shaded and north facing borders, woodland planting, informal hedging, containers, town and coastal gardens
• Foliage: Large, glossy dark green leaves boldly spotted with golden yellow, held all year
• Flowering Time: Spring, with small purple red flowers. Red berries follow from autumn into winter on female plants with a male nearby.
• Planting Position: Full sun to full shade, including dry shade. Takes salt wind and pollution. Grows well in a large container.
• Soil Type: Moist, well drained soil. It tolerates most soil types.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across Britain (RHS H5)
• Maintenance: Low. Prune lightly in spring if you want to keep it smaller.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer, autumn and winter
• Type: Hardy evergreen shrub

Free UK Delivery on Every Order

All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.

Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.

Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.

How Your Plants Arrive
Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.

Returns
Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.