Aucuba 'Golden King' (m/v)

Description: Aucuba japonica 'Golden King' is a dependable evergreen shrub renowned for its striking golden-variegated foliage that brightens shaded garden spaces year-round. This dense, bushy cultivar features glossy, lance-shaped leaves splashed with bright yellow markings, creating vibrant colour even in deep shade where many ornamental plants struggle. A male clone, 'Golden King' produces small purple-red flowers in spring that attract pollinators, though berries are not produced on this variety. Exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance, this shrub thrives in South England's variable conditions, tolerating poor soils, pollution, and neglect with remarkable resilience. It reaches approximately 1.5–2.5 metres tall and wide at maturity, forming an attractive architectural presence in borders, woodland gardens, and foundation plantings. The dense growth habit makes it excellent for screening and informal hedging. Once established, Aucuba requires minimal intervention beyond occasional light pruning to maintain shape. Its ability to flourish in challenging locations—particularly shaded borders beneath trees or in north-facing aspects—makes it invaluable for low-maintenance landscaping schemes across South England.

Other benefits: evergreen, hedging, shade-planting, borders, containers

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2.5m x 2.5m

Position: partial shade to full shade

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -10°C