Narrow leaf aucuba

Aucubas, native to Asia, are popular due to their ability to grow in difficult conditions. An aucuba can handle dry shade and even salty coastal air. It can even be grown indoors as a houseplant, often sold as a “Japanese laurel.” A popular variety has green leaves that are flecked with bright yellow; in Mellon’s garden, we see a narrow-leaf variety, which has elegant, long, dark-green leaves; small purple flowers; and bright red berries.