Mr. Goldstrike Japanese Aucuba

You will truly strike it rich with Mr Goldstrike Aucuba, a fabulous choice for shade, even deep shade, and even in dark, city gardens. Japanese Aucuba is definitely the toughest plant of them all when it comes to tolerating the dreaded dry, deep shade under evergreens, or the dark corners of a city garden. This isn’t just some boring green plant, either, because every leaf is richly splashed with an abundance of golden spots and blotches, as bright in the depths of winter as they are at the heights of summer. Growing into a rounded, multi-stem shrub 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, it is perfect for filling a corner between two walls, or for planting as a screen along an ugly fence under trees. Fantastic for city gardens, where it will thrive where others perish, it is also great in the background of beds beneath trees in gardens, or for a bright splash among the dark evergreens around your home. If you already have Aucuba of other kinds in your garden, they are probably female trees, as most varieties are. Being a male, Mr Goldstrike won’t have berries, but it will make sure all your others do – making a great winter display. Our Sawtooth Japanese Aucuba would make a great companion, and is renowned for its abundant berry display. Plus, it’s a good houseplant for dark, cold rooms.

• The best evergreen of all for deep, permanent shade
• Large, glossy leaves covered in golden spots and blotches
• Tolerant of poor soil, compacted soil and urban conditions
• Can also be grown as a houseplant, in cold, dark rooms
• A male plant, excellent for encouraging berries in female varieties

You can plant Mr Goldstrike Aucuba in zone 6, and all the way to southern Florida. Plant in partial to full shade – too much direct sun can burn the leaves. It grows in all soil types, from sand to clay, and from acidic to alkaline. This is a plant that takes the challenge of poor soils in city gardens, urban pollution and dry, compacted soil beneath trees. Not suitable for areas that are permanently waterlogged. Left alone by deer and almost never has any pest or disease problems. Generally needs no pruning, but you can take off any stray shoots if you want to. A maintenance-free plant once established, but a little evergreen fertilizer in spring will be appreciated.