Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie'
Japanese laurel (Female)
- Position: full sun to full shade
- Soil: any garden soil (except waterlogged soils)
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Lustrous, dark green leaves and small clusters of red-purple flowers in April and May, are often followed by large, bright red berries. This compact Japanese laurel is perfect for a small shady site, and is tolerant of dry shade and urban pollution. It has bisexual flowers, so will usually produce some berries without the need of a pollination partner, but if you want an even bigger crop, try planting it alongside a 'male' variety.
- Garden care: To promote bushy growth prune straggly branches in spring. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant after pruning.