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Spotted Laurel Hedge (Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia')

Spotted Laurel, also known as Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’, is a distinctive evergreen hedge plant recognised for its large, glossy dark green leaves marked with attractive yellow-gold spots. Its dense foliage provides year-round interest, while female plants can produce bright red berries when a suitable male plant is nearby.

Medium Growth Rate
White Flowers
Evergreen
Berries
Plant Guarantee

Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, chalk and clay soils in full sun, partial shade or shade. Suitable for inland, exposed and coastal sites
Growth Rate: Average growth of approximately 20cm to 40cm per year
Height: Can reach up to 3 metres when left untrimmed
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Height cm	Price inc VAT	Planting Density
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 2L 20/40cm	Regular price £7.25 Sale price £7.25 Regular price Unit price per	5 per metre
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 5L 40/60cm	Regular price £22.09 Sale price £22.09 Regular price Unit price per	3 to 4 per metre
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 10L 60/80cm	Regular price £54.45 Sale price £54.45 Regular price Unit price per	2 per metre

Height cm	Price inc VAT	Planting Density
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 2L 20/40cm (x50) Multi-deal	Regular price £326.25 Sale price £326.25 Regular price Unit price per	5 per metre
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 5L 40/60cm (x40) Multi-deal	Regular price £795.24 Sale price £795.24 Regular price Unit price per	3 to 4 per metre
Spotted Laurel Pot Grown 10L 60/80cm (x14) Multi-deal	Regular price £686.07 Sale price £686.07 Regular price Unit price per	2 per metre

Spotted Laurel Hedge Description

Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’) is an attractive evergreen hedge plant valued for its glossy foliage and distinctive yellow-spotted leaves. Its ability to perform well in shaded areas makes it particularly useful for gardens where sunlight is limited. The dense foliage provides reliable year-round coverage, making Spotted Laurel suitable for garden boundaries, screening and ornamental hedging.

Spotted Laurel has a slow to moderate growth rate, generally adding around 20 to 40 centimetres each year depending on growing conditions. When left untrimmed, it can reach approximately 1.5 to 3 metres in height, although regular pruning can keep it at a more manageable size.

One of the main advantages of this Aucuba japonica hedge is its tolerance of shade. It can grow in full sun, partial shade and shaded positions, although protection from intense direct sunlight can help prevent leaf scorch. It is also adaptable to a range of soil types and can cope well with exposed and coastal locations.

Benefits

Spotted Laurel offers a practical combination of year-round foliage, shade tolerance and relatively low maintenance. Its dense evergreen growth can provide privacy, screening and shelter while adding colour to areas of the garden that may otherwise appear dark or bare.

The glossy leaves with yellow markings create visual interest throughout the year, while established plants can tolerate periods of dry weather.

Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ is also well suited to urban gardens and can cope with challenging growing conditions, making it a versatile choice for a range of UK landscapes.

Pruning Advice

To maintain a neat and compact Spotted Laurel hedge, prune once or twice a year as required. The best time for routine trimming is generally late spring or early summer, once the main flush of new growth has developed.

A light trim can help maintain the desired shape and encourage a dense, well-branched appearance.

Remove damaged, dead or unwanted branches as necessary. If the hedge has become overgrown, more substantial pruning can be carried out carefully, although avoiding excessive removal of old wood can help encourage healthy regrowth. Always check the plant's condition before undertaking heavier pruning.

With its distinctive evergreen foliage, good shade tolerance and manageable growth rate, Spotted Laurel is a reliable option for creating attractive boundaries, screens and ornamental hedges.

Its adaptability makes it particularly useful where other evergreen hedge plants may struggle to receive sufficient sunlight.

Further Information

Planting distances are largely a matter of preference and depend on the size of the plants and how quickly you want the hedge to become dense. For bare root plants, spacing at 3 plants per metre can be sufficient, while 5 plants per metre provides a fuller hedge more quickly. Planting 7 plants per metre in a double staggered row can create an even denser screen.

For cell-grown plants, around 4 plants per metre in a single row or ideally 6 plants per metre in a staggered row is recommended. Smaller plants can generally be planted at a higher density to help create a full hedge as they establish.

When planting Spotted Laurel, prepare the soil thoroughly and water plants well during their establishment period. Allowing sufficient space between plants supports healthy root development while helping the hedge gradually knit together.

FAQs

Is Spotted Laurel suitable for shade?
Yes. Spotted Laurel is particularly well suited to shady and partially shaded areas. It can also grow in full sun, although plants in very sunny positions may benefit from protection during periods of intense heat.

How long does it take for a Spotted Laurel hedge to become established?
The time required depends on the starting plant size, spacing, soil and growing conditions. With an average growth rate of around 20 to 40 centimetres per year, regular watering during establishment and suitable planting conditions can help plants develop into a dense hedge.

Can Spotted Laurel be grown in pots?
Yes, young Spotted Laurel plants can be grown in suitable containers provided they have adequate space, drainage and appropriate growing conditions. Container-grown plants will require regular watering and may need repotting as they increase in size.

Does Spotted Laurel produce berries?
Female Spotted Laurel plants can produce bright red berries, but berry production requires pollination from a suitable male plant nearby. The berries can add seasonal interest to the hedge during the colder months.

Delivery & Returns

We offer free delivery within 50 miles of our nursery, making it convenient to have your Spotted Laurel hedge plants delivered directly to your property within our local delivery area. Delivery outside the 50-mile area may also be available depending on your location and order size.

If you are unsure whether your address falls within the delivery area, please contact us before placing your order. All plants are carefully prepared for safe transport and are covered by our 12 Month Guarantee On All Plants, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

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With over 30+ years in the horticultural industry, Bannister Hall is an award winning UK plants nursery. We are trusted growers and online retailers of everything plants including topiary, trees, hedges, and shrubs, supplying outdoor plants nationwide to homeowners, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, local authorities, the NHS, landscaping designers, gardeners, contractors, and property developers. From our three privately owned British plants nurseries we offer specialist nationwide delivery of high quality plants at unbeatable prices. Our nurseries can be visited by everyone and you can also shop here online choosing from over 40,000 plant species. We are fully DEFRA compliant and approved by the national 'Plant Healthy Scheme'. Buy Hedges, Trees, Plants & Shrubs Direct Online with Free Delivery and 12 months plants guarantee- Tel. 0330 236 7330.