Aucuba

Attractive evergreen shrubs for gardens and parks, whose winter hardiness is considerably greater than commonly believed when planted in a suitably chosen site. They should be planted in shade, primarily in locations protected from the rays of the winter sun. In very cold winters they may freeze; however, after pruning they most often resprout vigorously from the base. They grow best on nutrient-rich loamy humus soil, in partial shade or shade. Propagation by seed is possible, but this results in cultivar segregation. Leaves opposite, petiolate, entire or slightly serrate-crenate. The flowers are dioecious, with four petals in each whorl, small, reddish, in terminal panicles; male flowers with 4 petals, rudimentary ovaries and 4 stamens; female flowers without stamens, panicles shorter. Fruits are single-seeded, berry-like drupes with a persistent calyx and style. Hardiness zone 8. Three species in East Asia and the Himalayas.