AUCUBA JAPONICA VARIEGATA

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Grows best in partial to full shade, making it one of the top choices for brightening up dark garden corners.

• Soil Preferences: Adapts to a variety of soil types—loam, clay, or sandy—provided they are well-drained.

• pH Range: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0–7.5).

• Moisture Needs: Likes consistently moist soil but can tolerate short dry periods once established. Avoid planting in areas with poor drainage.

• Planting Time: Plant in spring or early autumn to give roots time to settle before temperature extremes.

• Spacing: For hedges, plant 1–1.5 metres apart; as a specimen shrub, give space for a mature spread of up to 2 metres.

• Positioning Tips: Excellent for shady borders, under trees, or against north-facing walls. Also works well in large patio containers in sheltered areas.

• Wind Tolerance: Withstands coastal breezes and urban pollution, but young plants benefit from protection from harsh winds.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Keep the soil evenly moist for the first 1–2 years after planting.

  • Mature plants require minimal watering, except during long dry spells.

• Feeding: In spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or mulch with organic matter to boost foliage colour and health.

• Pruning:

  • Requires little pruning—remove any damaged, dead, or weak stems in late winter or early spring.

  • Light trimming after flowering will keep hedges neat.

• Mulching: Add a 5 cm layer of compost, bark, or leaf mould in spring to retain moisture, enrich soil, and reduce weed growth—keep mulch clear of the stems.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally trouble-free. Occasionally affected by scale insects or leaf spot—improve airflow and remove affected leaves if necessary.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland. In exposed northern areas, shelter from strong winds to prevent leaf scorch.

• Propagation: Simple to propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter.

Foliage Appeal, Ornamental Value, and Garden Uses

• Foliage: Glossy green leaves splashed with bold golden-yellow variegation—brightening shade and adding a touch of the exotic.

• Flowers: Clusters of small, deep purple-red flowers appear in spring—subtle but attractive on close inspection.

• Berries: On female plants, bright red berries develop in autumn if a male aucuba is nearby for pollination, providing extra colour through winter.

• Evergreen Value: Offers year-round structure and colour, making it a dependable choice for low-maintenance gardens.

• Wildlife Benefits: Berries are a food source for birds; flowers support early pollinators.

• Ornamental Value: Its combination of toughness and colour makes it a must-have shrub for shaded planting schemes.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Perfect for evergreen hedging in shaded areas.

  • Adds visual interest in mixed shrub borders.

  • Ideal for coastal and urban gardens.

  • Excellent in large containers for shaded patios or entrances.

• Growth and Size: Moderate growth rate, typically reaching 1.5–3 metres tall and up to 2 metres wide, with a dense, bushy habit.

• Longevity: Very long-lived, retaining form and colour for decades with minimal care.

• Companion Planting: Combines beautifully with hostas, ferns, hydrangeas, hellebores, and other shade-loving plants for a layered effect.

• Size
  2 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.