Aucuba japonica 'Golden King' (Spotted Laurel) – Evergreen Shrub (7.5L Pot)

A big, gold splashed evergreen that brightens the difficult corners where little else will grow.

'Golden King' carries glossy leaves generously marked with gold, holding colour right through winter even in deep shade. It grows into a dense, bushy, upright shrub of roughly 1.5m to 2.5m tall and wide, giving good structure in a border or as an evergreen screen. Small purple red flowers open in spring, and female plants may carry ornamental red berries once pollinated.

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 1.5m to 2.5m tall and wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, dense, rounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Shaded and north facing borders, woodland planting, informal hedging, containers, town and coastal gardens
• Foliage: Glossy evergreen leaves with golden variegation
• Flowering Time: Spring, with small purple red flowers. Female plants may carry red berries once pollinated.
• 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