Japanese Aucuba
Aucuba japonica アオキGarryaceae
Native Container Wildlife value: high Maintenance: low
Description
Aucuba japonica is a shade-tolerant evergreen shrub native to lowland
broadleaf forests of central and western Japan. It thrives in the dim,
awkward corners of Tokyo gardens — north sides of walls, under deciduous
canopy, narrow side-yards — where most other broadleaf evergreens fail.
Dioecious: a female plant in fruit holds bright red drupes from late
autumn through midwinter, providing critical cold-season forage for
bulbuls and shrikes. Avoid harsh afternoon sun and prolonged drought.
For containers, choose at least 20 L and amend with leaf mould.
Growing requirements
| Light | part shade to shade |
|---|---|
| Water | medium |
| Soil | humus-rich, well-drained loam; tolerates a wide pH range |
| Hardiness | tokyo lowland |
| Container | Yes · Min container size: 20L |
| Maintenance | low |
| Common issues | scale insects (summer, on stems and leaf undersides); sooty mould (secondary, follows scale) |
Practical info
| Native | Yes |
|---|---|
| Edible | No |
| Wildlife value | high |
| Attracts |
|
Seasonal calendar
Tokyo-lowland calendar. Shifts a week or two with elevation or cultivar.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | ||||||||||||
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Fruiting |
- Mar Spring planting before new leaves emerge.
- Oct Autumn planting once summer heat passes; root before first frost.
Usage
Hedging, north-facing borders, container specimen for shaded courtyards.
Variegated cultivars exist but if you want the wildlife-supporting native,
plant the plain green form.