Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', the Japanese laurel, is an ornamental selection valued for its variegated foliage and its toughness.

Characteristics
An evergreen shrub reaching about 1.5-3 m in height and width, upright and bushy with thick, stiff stems. The foliage is the point of this variety: large, oval, leathery leaves with toothed margins, glossy dark green heavily speckled and blotched with golden yellow. Small purplish red flowers appear in clusters in spring; the plant is dioecious, so female plants bearing bright red berries need a male nearby.

Growing and care
One of the best shrubs for shade and deep shade, where the variegation stays bright; it needs fresh, well drained soil and tolerates urban pollution, dry shade and competition from tree roots. Hardy to about -15 °C. Prune in spring to keep it dense and remove any all green shoots.

Uses
Shady borders, plantings under trees, informal evergreen hedges, north facing courtyards and containers in dark corners.