Tell me about your aucuba

I've looked in plant files, and found conflicting information on aucubas. One person said that they are deer candy, another said they are deer resistant. One described them as fast growing, while another said they are slow growing. The only thing that they seem to agree on is that they are very pretty plants.

I am looking for a variageted shrub for several areas in my yard. All of these areas are mostly shadey in the summer, and partially sunny in the winter, when the leaves are gone from the trees. I would love to hear of others experiences with aucuba.

Yesterday, at my new job at a big nursery, I trimmed back a dozen 5 gallon Aucuba 'Goldust'. They looked pathetic as they were in full sun all summer in a greenhouse. I've never seen a nice one growing in full sun. They prosper with summer water and rich soil. If they face north with protection of a home they can be quite nice. Some people consider them too gaudy but they sure brighten up a dark spot. I used one on a landscape installation a few weeks ago and it worked perfect - next to the front steps on the north side of the house brightening up a dreary area. It was, what I know as Picturata or has a yellow blotch in the centre of the leaves. I wouldn't consider them fast growing or slow growing.

pennefeather, I don't have any personal experience with Aucuba, although I have seen plenty of them in foundation plantings in Lexington. Oddly enough, I never notice them until the winter months when they "shine" in these gardens. A couple of other choices for you to consider: Osmanthus 'Goshiki' (Variegated False Holly)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56751/ with lovely variegated foliage. There are also a couple of nice Hollies with bright variegation: Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53949/ or Ilex aquifolium 'Variegata' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/80008/. Another nice variegated selection which would do well in your situation is Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/79572/.

Not sure of the availability of some of these shrubs this time of year, but was just visiting a local garden center this weekend for their fall sale and they had some lovely Variegated Hollies at 50% off!

Debbie

Debbie,

Thanks for the other ideas. Your comments are exactly what I am looking for something that will "shine" in my garden. I may just end up with a variegated euyonomous or holly, but I thought that the aucuba was a good starting point as well.

Be careful of the euyonomous. I lost all 3 of my mature plants to something called scale, that is plant specific to this plant. I am a Realtor and since knowing the fate of mine, I am amazed at how many of these popular landscape plants dying do to this.

chris

Just make sure when you go shopping, look for Elaeagnus NOT Euonymus!!! Even though there are some very pretty variegated cultivars of Euonymus available, Chris is right, they are prone to a number of diseases and particularly scale. Another thing to remember, the Elaeagnus mentioned above is in the same family as the invasive Elaeagnus angustifolia and unfortunately they share the same common name: Russian Olive. You have to be specific (i.e. use genus AND species) in your search so you don't end up planting something you'll regret.

In good soil, bright shade/early sun, sufficient water, aucuba is pretty fast-growing for me. Tends to grow more wide than out, as it branches out heavily. In this photo of one of my north-facing beds, there are 2 variegated 'Gold Dust' aucubas. The one on the LH, although younger, has actually grown faster. It is 4 yrs old and was planted from a 1 gall container.

They do best in N E PA in full shade but good light. Not heavy shade under a conifer. Even with this punishment from snow from an overhang it bounces back each year.

Jkom51,

I really like your picture. This is the reason why I am considering getting a couple of aucubas. I want to put them in front of my evergreen, but I want something that is going to pop.

Unfortunately, a few days ago, we were just recently upgraded from moderate drought to severe, so I think that I will wait until the spring to plant. I have this feeling that they may decide to implement water restrictions sometime soon.

Looked up what you were talking about and found this. It looks like these would do well for me in shade areas. http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1057.htm

Thanks for giving me something to check into. I have some shady spots that could use some color.

pennefeather, hoping you're receiving at least some of the rain that we're getting. Probably won't be enough to make up for the severe drought we've experienced, but hopefully enough to avoid the possibility of water restrictions!

pennefeather,

I have 1 "Gold Dust" that I brought with me from Rockville, MD, first to Chincoteague Island, VA for 2 years, then to my home in Temperanceville, VA. It is now planted on a northfacing end of my house, it has not been a fast grower, but this year in spite of the drought (we have our own deep, deep well) it has filled out better that ever and I have had it six years, first under a Bradford pear, virtually NO SUN, to morning sun, to morning sun. I wish it was taller , it hasn't grown a whole lot taller since I first planted it (I'm sure that has nothing to do with three moves!) but as I said, filled out beautifully this year and I am very happy with it. Good luck, and I would wait until Spring, you will also have a much better selection then, as well.

I have some tall pines with camellias grow under them, I'm thinking something like star dust would give me some nice summer color in a heavy shaded area. I have some hydranges in there too, might be a good combo. Anyone think that would work out well?

I had camelias when I used to live in Savannah, GA. I know that there are some that grow this far north, but I think you need to plant them near a wall for protection. I do love hydrangeas, but I looking for something that is evergreen. Your combinations sounds nice.

Pamspace, are you going to settle down in Temperanceville for a while now? My husband freaks out when I talk about moving again. We've done New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and now Virginia - nine more states, and we will hit all of the original thirteen colonies!

pennefeather, if you decide to try and locate an Aucuba this fall and can't find it locally, my friends and I stopped off just about this time last fall at a small garden center in Warrenton http://davesgarden.com/products/go/view/8105/, not too far from you? They were having their fall sale and had some very healthy and reasonably priced Aucubas - might be worth a telephone call to see what they have.

Thanks Rcn. I'm definitely going to wait until the spring.

We got over two inches of rain! It's still officially a drought everywhere in Virginia except Arlington County. I only wish that all the rain they have been having in Texas and the midwest would move into the southeast. Alabama, Missouri, Gerogia and some of the other states are even worse off than we are. Ofcourse, southern California could use some rain as well.