Sawtoothed Aucuba

Aucuba japonica ‘Serratifolia’

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub

Height at Maturity: 5-7′

Width at Maturity: 5-7′

Spacing: 4′ apart for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Dense, Mounding, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: NA

Flower Size: NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: NA

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade

Water Needs: Low Once Established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Lightly Moist, Well Drained Dry

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Heavy Shade, Insect

Description

A handsome, tough and easy-to-grow evergreen shrub that will bring outstanding bold texture to the shade or woodland garden, the Sawtoothed Japanese Aucuba sports shiny, very dark green, leaves that are toothed around the edges and much longer than are typical on other Aucuba varieties. The one-of-a-kind bold foliage contrasts wonderfully with blue, golden and variegated hosta lilies, perennial ferns and just about any other shade-loving plants.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 5 to 7 feet tall and wide and thriving in dense shade to part shade, the Sawtoothed Aucuba is ideal for use as an accent, in groupings, or as a natural hedge in home foundation plantings, under the canopies of large shade trees, and in other shady areas. A fine addition to the shade or woodland gardens, tropical look garden, perennial shade gardens, rock gardens, and Xeriscape gardens (low water needs). You can also grow this flashy beauty year-round indoors as a houseplant!

Suggested Spacing: 4 feet apart for solid hedges; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Aucuba are very easy to grow and low maintenance plants tolerant of most any moist to somewhat dry well-drained soil and are exceptionally drought tolerant when established. Aucuba thrive in the shadiest of spots, even under the canopies of large trees and under tall decks where grass and many other plants are difficult if not impossible to grow, but will also tolerate morning sun. Direct afternoon sun can scorch or discolor the leaves. Exceptionally low maintenance though plants can be pruned for shaping purposes or to control size.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Aucuba plants.

How To Plant & Care For Aucuba Plants

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Since the pandemic began, I have been ordering heavily from Wilson Brothers and feel lucky to have found them. These aucuba shrubs arrived in top condition and transplanted easily. They look great and are thriving!——————————Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. – Beth | WBG 🙂