Aucuba japonica

Japanese laurel

• Position: full sun to full shade
• Soil: any garden soil (except waterlogged soils)
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: April
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This resilient evergreen shrub has become popular because it will thrive in inhospitable, shady areas of the garden where little else will grow. It is also low-maintenance. Coping well with dry shade, urban pollution and salt-laden air, the spotted, dark green, pointed leaves make an excellent, dense hedge for an urban or coastal site. Small clusters of insiginificant, red-purple flowers are followed by bright red berries on female plants. Use it at the back of a mixed border to provide a foil for other, more decorative plants.
  
  
• 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.