• Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’
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Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’

Spotted Laurel

£14.39
£17.99
£14.39

3 litre pot

Brighten up the darkest corners of your garden with Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’—a bold, evergreen shrub with golden-splashed leaves that bring year-round interest, even in full shade. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens, it’s tough, stylish, and ideal for city plots or north-facing spots.
  • Shade tolerant
  • All-year foliage interest
  • Suitable for pots and hedging
  • Pollution resistant

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  • Aspect

    Partial shade to full shade

  • Hardiness

    Very hardy

  • Flowers

    March, April

  • Soil type

    Moist but well-drained, fertile soil

Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’

  • Why we like this plant

    If your garden has a dull, shady corner that needs brightening up, Golden King is the answer. It shines with cheerful golden foliage all year long, even in deep shade where other plants struggle. Hardy, fuss-free, and tough as nails, it's the kind of plant that quietly gets on with things—and looks good doing it.

  • About this plant

    Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King’ is a hardy, evergreen shrub known for its striking variegated foliage. Its large, leathery leaves are a deep green splashed with vibrant golden-yellow, providing year-round colour and structure even in the shadiest parts of the garden. Tolerant of pollution and neglect, it’s a superb choice for low-maintenance spaces, north-facing walls, and sheltered urban gardens. It also produces small purple flowers in spring, sometimes followed by bright red berries on female plants.

  • Key features

    • Bold golden-variegated foliage
    • Evergreen structure
    • Tolerates deep shade
    • Good for city and coastal gardens
    • Low maintenance

  • Eventual height and
    spread

    Height: 150–250cm | Spread: 150–200cm

  • Growth
    habit

    Dense, bushy, and upright with a rounded form—ideal for informal hedging or as a structural planting.

  • Moisture

    Moist but not waterlogged

  • Position in
    the Garden

    Ideal for shade borders, north-facing walls, or containers

Planting guide

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained soil. Great for underplanting taller trees or along shady walls. Water well after planting and mulch annually.

Care tips

Water well during dry spells in the first year. Prune lightly in spring to shape or reduce size. Avoid overwatering, especially in pots.

Winter care

Requires little winter care. Mulch in late autumn to retain moisture and protect roots in very cold areas. Leaves are frost-resistant.