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Japanese Aucuba is an evergreen shrub that is susceptible to sunburn and prefers shade and mild temperatures. Sunlight should be filtered, which is why Japanese Aucuba is often planted under large shade trees. Leaves are shiny green, and flowers are blue or purple, blooming in very late winter or early spring. If planted near a male plant, female plants produce clusters of red berries in the fall, lasting through winter.
Pruning rejuvenates new growth, increases flower production, and limits disease. Fungi, especially rust, threaten Japanese Aucuba. This is a problem under very moist conditions. Rootrot can also be present if soil is too moist and does not have the proper drainage. This shrub is deer, wind, slope, salt and pollutant tolerant and is low maintenance. Japanese Aucuba survive well indoors. This is a poisonous plant.
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