Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' (Japanese Laurel) – Berrying Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

A compact evergreen with deep green, polished leaves and bright red berries that it produces on its own.

'Rozannie' is the aucuba for a smaller garden, reaching about 1m tall and wide with a naturally neat habit. Unlike most spotted laurels it is self fertile, so it sets its red berries from autumn into winter without a second plant nearby. Small purple flowers open in spring. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit and the berries draw birds in.

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: About 1m tall and 1m wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, dense, rounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Shaded borders, containers, woodland planting, north facing walls and small gardens
• Foliage: Glossy, deep green, leathery leaves, held all year. Plain green rather than spotted.
• Flowering Time: Spring, with small purple flowers. Bright red berries follow from autumn into winter, and it sets them without a pollinator.
• 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