Long-leaved Himalayan Laurel

An elegant and architectural evergreen, Aucuba himalaica var. dolichophylla is a distinguished relative of the common Spotted Laurel, but with a far more refined and exotic presence. This Himalayan native is prized for its unusually long, narrow, and slender foliage, which can reach up to 10 inches in length. The leathery leaves are a deep forest green, often featuring a subtle serrated edge that adds a sharp, contemporary texture to shaded corners. In spring, it produces discreet purple flowers, followed on female plants by clusters of large, spectacular ovoid berries that ripen to a brilliant, glossy red and persist well into Winter. Exceptionally tough and shade-tolerant, it provides a lush, structural backdrop.

Site: Extremely tolerant; thrives in deep shade and copes well with urban pollution
Soil: Any well drained soil
Position: Best in shade, tolerant of deep shade
Season of Interest: Evergreen, Winter berries
Hardiness: Hardy to -12°C
Height: 6-10ft (2-3m) Spread: 6-8ft (2-2.5m)

Image by peganum cropped and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0