What: If your garden has a dry and shady area, Aucuba japonica “Mr. Goldstrike” is the shrub to fill the spot. The lustrous dark, evergreen foliage is playfully speckled-and-splashed golden yellow, and will brighten any dark garden. The full and dense foliage branches freely to the ground, making it one of the few plants that resist becoming leggy in the shade..
Size: The variegated plant matures at 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Where: Japanese aucuba prefers well-drained soil, but will tolerate sandy soils or clay. Plant in dappled to deep shade, as too much sun will cause the leaves to yellow and the variegation to burn.
Water: Aucuba is quite drought tolerant once established, although occasional summer watering will keep it looking its best during prolonged dry weather.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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