Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba

Light Needs

Full Shade

(Less Than 2 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-10 Feet

Mature Spread

5-9 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

It is the colorful green and gold foliage that really makes this evergreen shrub stand out. As its name suggests, the large leaves of the variegated Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba are decorated with yellow-gold blotches. Easy to grow, this Aucuba japonica cultivar is male and can help pollinate nearby female varieties. Its eventual height is 4 to 6 feet.

As its name implies, this Japanese laurel is native to parts of Asia. It forms a pleasing round habit of dense lush growth and is equally happy when grown in a container or used to form a hedge. It is cold hardy and suitable for hardiness zones 6 to 9. Furthermore, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is slow growing and requires minimal maintenance. 

Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba Care

This striking Aucuba thrives and produces the best foliage color when it is grown in full or partial shade. It can cope with any soil type but has a preference for a fertile, well-drained and neutral to acidic substrate. It prefers moist soil, especially while getting established and will benefit from a general fertilizer in early spring. 

Since the Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is slow growing and naturally forms a rounded shape, it rarely needs pruning. However, if required, you can lightly shape it in early spring. 

Since container-grown plants dry out more quickly than those grown in the ground, you will need to water this aucuba more regularly if you keep him in a pot. 

Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba Spacing

Over time, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba tends to reach 4 to 6 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide. When planting as a group or a row, a spacing of 4 to 5 feet is appropriate.