Standing out in the garden this month is Aucuba ‘Petite Jade’, a lovely selection of the Asian native evergreen shrub, Aucuba japonica. This release comes from the U.S. National Arboretum, from cuttings originally collected in 1984 at South Korea’s Chollipo Arboretum. This selection is not only slow-growing and dense, but has excellent resistance to foliar leaf spot. Our 10 year old specimen has reached 3.5′ tall x 3.5′ wide. The original 30 year old specimen has matured at 6′ tall x 10′ wide. Aucubas are great in most soils, except those that become waterlogged, or or excessively dry for long periods. Based on the hardiness trials at the National Arboretum this is hardy to Zone 6a-10.
Petite Jade
Asian natives, aucuba, Evergreen Perennials, shade gardening, slow growing, Woodland Garden, zone 7b