Evergreen Shrub – Sawtoothed Japanese Aucuba

Sawtoothed Japanese Aucuba

Botanical name: aucuba japonica ‘serratifolia’

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 4-6 ft in height and in spread 

Hardy zone: zones 6-10 

Foliage color: green 

Growth rate: grows less than a ft per year 

Pruning instructions: prune in the early spring to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings 

Landscape use: hedge, ornamental interest, privacy screens 

Light needs: less than 2 hours of sun per day 

Special features: produces non-edible ornamental berries, attracts pollinators

Watering instructions: allow the first couple of inches to dry between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a general purpose fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: adapts to all kinds of soil 

Companion plants: fatsia, fern, hosta, irises 

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and most pets if ingested, extremely toxic for horses if ingested 

Invasive species: no