Aucuba Japonica Variegata Spotted Laurel Plants

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.

What's Included:

• 1 x Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' (Spotted Laurel) plant


• Supplied in a 2 litre pot


• Established, garden-ready shrub

Key Features:

• Shade-loving evergreen – ideal for dark or north-facing areas


• Eye-catching gold-speckled, glossy foliage all year round


• Hardy and resilient – tolerates frost, pollution and coastal exposure


• Low maintenance – requires minimal pruning and care once established


• Versatile – suitable for borders, hedging, containers and woodland planting


• Can produce ornamental red berries in autumn and winter (when pollinated by a male plant)

Cultural Information:

• Botanical Name: Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'


• Common Names: Spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant


• Classification: Evergreen shrub


• Fully Grown Height & Spread: 2–3 m × 2–3 m


• Growth Habit: Bushy, Dense, Rounded Evergreen Shrub


• Perfect for: Shade Gardens, Borders, Containers, Woodland Gardens, Hedging


• Flowering Time: Spring (March–April; small reddish-purple flowers)


• Berrying Season: Autumn to Winter (female plant; requires male pollinator)


• Planting Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade (tolerates some sun)


• Soil: Moist, Well-Drained; Tolerates Most Soil Types


• Hardiness: Fully Hardy (RHS H5)


• Attracts: Birds and Garden Wildlife


• Type: Hardy Evergreen Shrub


• Foliage: Glossy Dark Green Leaves with Golden-Yellow Spots

Planting and Care Advice:

• Plant in partial to full shade for the best foliage colour; direct, intense sun may scorch leaves


• Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system


• Once established, Aucuba is drought-tolerant and requires very little ongoing attention


• Prune lightly in spring to maintain shape if desired


• Feeds well with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring

Notes: This listing is for the Variegata variety, recognised by its distinctive gold-spotted foliage. Plant dimensions and appearance may vary naturally as each plant is a unique living specimen.

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.