{"product_id":"col-2l-auc-varx1","title":"Aucuba Japonica Variegata Spotted Laurel Plant, Shade Loving Hardy Evergreen Shrub, 2 Litre Root Ball","description":"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eBring year-round colour and interest to even the shadiest corners of your garden with the Aucuba japonica 'Variegata', commonly known as Spotted Laurel. This striking hardy evergreen shrub is prized for its bold, glossy dark green leaves generously speckled with golden-yellow spots, creating a naturally vibrant display throughout every season. Exceptionally shade-tolerant, it thrives where many other plants struggle, making it an invaluable addition to north-facing borders, woodland gardens and shaded patio containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupplied as an established plant in a 2 litre pot, this Aucuba is ready to plant out or pot on. It is a robust, low-maintenance shrub that tolerates pollution, coastal conditions and a wide range of soil types. As a female cultivar, it can produce attractive bright red berries from autumn into winter when a male Aucuba is planted nearby for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 x Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' (Spotted Laurel) plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eSupplied in a 2 litre pot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eEstablished, garden-ready shrub\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShade-loving evergreen – ideal for dark or north-facing areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eEye-catching gold-speckled, glossy foliage all year round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eHardy and resilient – tolerates frost, pollution and coastal exposure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eLow maintenance – requires minimal pruning and care once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eVersatile – suitable for borders, hedging, containers and woodland planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eCan produce ornamental red berries in autumn and winter (when pollinated by a male plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Gold Dust Plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully Grown Height \u0026amp; Spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 m × 2–3 m\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bushy, Dense, Rounded Evergreen Shrub\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shade Gardens, Borders, Containers, Woodland Gardens, Hedging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring (March–April; small reddish-purple flowers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerrying Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn to Winter (female plant; requires male pollinator)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Position:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial Shade to Full Shade (tolerates some sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, Well-Drained; Tolerates Most Soil Types\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully Hardy (RHS H5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttracts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Birds and Garden Wildlife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy Evergreen Shrub\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy Dark Green Leaves with Golden-Yellow Spots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting and Care Advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant in partial to full shade for the best foliage colour; direct, intense sun may scorch leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eWater regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eOnce established, Aucuba is drought-tolerant and requires very little ongoing attention\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003ePrune lightly in spring to maintain shape if desired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003eFeeds well with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing is for the Variegata variety, recognised by its distinctive gold-spotted foliage. Plant dimensions and appearance may vary naturally as each plant is a unique living specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants For All Seasons","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57694647386486,"sku":"COL-2L-AUC-VARX1","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/5990\/3625\/files\/file_2228a42f-bf33-4491-91d6-8c6e40320762.png?v=1776388449","url":"https:\/\/www.plantsforallseasons.co.uk\/products\/col-2l-auc-varx1","provider":"Plants For All Seasons","version":"1.0","type":"link"}