yardremake
A mature Gold Dust Aucuba (Aucuba japonica) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Hedge · Container · Patio · Asian · Childrens · Cottage · Drought tolerant · Shade

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Gold Dust Aucuba

Aucuba japonica · Perennial

Gold Dust Aucuba is a slow-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 6-9, that matures to about 6–10 ft × 5–9 ft. It does best in part shade and full shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect purple and red blooms in spring. It stands up well to drought, pollution and salt and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
6-9
Sun
Part shade, Full shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
6–10 ft × 5–9 ft
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color
Purple, Red
Bloom season
Spring
Tough against
Drought, Pollution, Salt
Toxic to
People
Native to
China, Taiwan, southern Japan

Will it survive your winters?

We score Gold Dust Aucuba’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9

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