The ‘Gold Dust Plant’
From Japan, Aucuba japonica is a hardy shrub that will grow both indoors and outdoors. An excellent bushy evergreen shrub that adds a strong splash of colour to the rear of the garden border.
Foliage is a mid green splashed with gold flecks, hence the name ‘Gold Dust Plant’. Aucuba japonica makes an excellent foil between camellias where it adds a lightness to the colour scheme.
Older foliage will fade a little over winter to silvery white and green, however the new fliage will be brilliant green and gold.
How To Grow Aucuba japonica – Basic Care
Plant in a a humus rich well drained soil in a part shaded position where its glossy green and gold foliage will add a light touch.
Aucuba japonica or ‘Gold Dust Plant’ is a medium sized shrub that will reach around 3m depending on conditions. Plants are easily pruned to maintain a more compact shape.
Flowers are small and insignificant but are followed by red berries, however this is a foliage plants used to add colour to the border. Little pruning is required, however prune back in early spring to keep in shape.
The ‘Gold Dust Plant’ can be grown in a large pot or container if required. Fertilise with a slow release general purpose fertiliser or a liquid seaweed emulsion fertiliser, keep well mulched to retain moisture.
Other Aucuba Varieties
Looking for something a little different ?
- Aucuba japonica ‘Picturata‘, the leaves on this variety have a heavier and more distinct golden centre. Bolder variegation (not speckled) with a strong yellow centre in the leaves
- Aucuba Japonica Sulphurea Marginata with foliage that is lighter green with yellow edging
- A. japonica Speckled green and Gold leaves.
- A. japonica Rozannie – Slow growing
- A. japonica ‘Honshu’ – Smaller growing form
- A. japonica crotonifolia – Most widely grown form with good gold and green foliage.
- A. chinensis – This is a taller growing species with larger leaves
Aucuba Japonica are available for sale from the following nurseries
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
Wholesale growers Include
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
SUNARISE NURSERY – phone: 0418689491
4467 Old Northern Rd Maroota NSW 2756
email – sunarisenursery@bigpond.com
Quality outdoor trees and shrubs in all sizes in large quantities.