The Care of the Aucuba Japonica

Choose a spot for your aucuba that is protected from intense sun. These shrubs do best in full or partial shade, but will tolerate morning or evening sun. If planted in full afternoon sun, the leaves will burn.

Amend the soil with compost before planting your shrub, or place a 3-inch layer of compost mulch around an aucuba that is already in the ground. While not picky about soil pH, aucubas prefer soil that is rich in organic material and drains well. The addition of compost helps you meet both these conditions.

Space your aucuba shrubs three feet apart if planting more than one since the shrubs compete with one another for nutrients and water. Proper spacing helps reduce this competition.

Prune your aucuba in the fall to control its size and to tidy up its overall shape. Prune out any branches that rest on other branches because these will rub and the wounds are vulnerable to disease. Also remove any dead branches from the shrub.

Water your aucuba deeply once a week during dry summer weather or when the soil is dry to a depth of 2 inches during spring and fall. This shrub is moderately drought tolerant and won't need much watering unless it is shielded from rainfall by taller trees or the eaves of your home.