Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' (Variegated Aucuba)

'Variegata' is a female cultivar of Aucuba japonica, also known as Japanese laurel, a showy evergreen shrub that grows well in shady locations to between four and six feet tall. The 'Variegata' cultivar is noted for its production of long, shiny green leaves speckled liberally with attractive, bright yellow spots. As a female cultivar, 'Variegata' will also produce showy red berries in the late winter and early spring when planted near a male plant.

As a shady, ornamental evergreen, Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' makes an excellent addition to shaded beds and is a superb choice of a foundation plant due to its evergreen leaves and medium height. This Japanese laurel cultivar is also tolerant of salt and drought and is winter hardy to Zone 6b, adding the benefit of environmental and weather tolerance to its striking foliage.