This shrub will lighten shady parts of your garden with its yellow - speckled leaves .
gilded detritus plant ( Aucuba japonica ) is an all - superstar part of alow - maintenance ghost border . This slow - grow , evergreen shrub has yellow - speckled foliage it keeps year - pear-shaped , providing color and grain when other plant go sleeping for wintertime .
Gold dust flora is grow for its foliage . It has Berry and bloom as well , but they are modest and insignificant .

Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Where to Plant Gold Dust Plant
works gold detritus plants in a nuance garden with moist , well - run out ground . It is frigid - brave inUSDA zones 6 - 10 , where it is peculiarly well - suited for creating a privateness screen . It grows well under tint tree where nothing else grows , and it also works well as a houseplant in all zones .
How and When to Plant Gold Dust Plant
Plant nursery - uprise transplants of gold detritus plant in saltation after the last frost . Before planting , water the transplant deeply , select a shady emplacement , andenrich the dirt with compostto allow first-class drainage . grasp a hole in the amend soil that is as tall as the nursery container and slightly wide . Set the plant in the hole at the same land line as it was in its container . Backfill with amend land , pressing down with your hand to eliminate air pockets . Water the transplantation at land storey to keep its leaf ironic .
Spread a 2 - inch - thick bed of shredded mulch or compost over the root geographical zone after planting . Water plants on a regular basis throughout the first growing time of year .
Gold Dust Plant Care Tips
With the right charge , gold dust plant is a go - to sensation performer for gardeners with fishy garden .
Light
gilded dust plant thrives in full shade . It can tolerate a few hr of morning sunlight , but its leave of absence singe when debunk to lengthy periods of full sun .
Soil and Water
A forest plant life , aureate rubble plant flourish in rich , deep , damp soil that is well - drained . Simplify maintenance by covering the undercoat around the bush with a2 - column inch - thick layer of shredded mulchto suppress dope and prevent grease - moisture loss .
ripe plant only take to be watered every couple of weeks , while newly set transplants need water once or double a week until they are established .
Temperature and Humidity
Gold debris plants prefer a coolheaded 45 ° F-65 ° F climate and can hold up temperatures down to -5 ° farad . The plant needs high-pitched humidness to thrive . When gilded junk plant is grow as a houseplant , set the container on a saucer of rock candy and water to provide additional humidness .
Fertilizer
Fertilize your gilt dust plants with aslow - release balanced granular fertilizerin early natural spring . It ’s authoritative not to overfertilize these flora . Indoors , fertilize the plant with a balanced liquid works fertilizer monthly during the uprise time of year . Stop inseminate during the cold season when ontogeny is minimal .
Pruning
Gold dust plant requires only simple pruning in spring to maintain the desired sizing and shape .
Potting and Repotting
Gold junk works is an fantabulous houseplant when planted in a container with drainage golf hole . occupy a container slimly large than the plant withpotting filth , place the industrial plant in the container , and irrigate it well . Keep it in lustrous light in a location no warmer than 65 ° F . The soil needs to remain damp ( not smashed ) throughout the get season ( spring through fall ) ; fertilize it monthly during that time with a balanced fluid fertiliser follow the product instructions .
Because gold rubble plant is such a obtuse cultivator , you probably wo n’t have to transplant it for several years .
Pests and Problems
Mature gold debris plant are plague - resistant , but young flora are susceptible to infestations ofaphids , mealy bug , and scale insect , in particular when they are farm as houseplants . These pests can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil .
The main problem with gilded rubble plants out of doors are root - rot disease , which happen when the soil is n’t well - draining , and brown leafage spots , which are scorch Mark from exposure to hot lineal sun .
How to Propagate Gold Dust Plant
pass around golden dust plant withstem cuttings . In the saltation , choose from stem turn top . In summer , semi - mature stem are a well pick . trim 4 - inch department . Fill small pots with a commercial rooting medium ( or a combination ofvermiculite , compost and gumption ) and moisten it . murder the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting off and cut the rest of the leaves in half . stick around the cut in the rooting medium and do n’t let any leave touch the metier . No root endocrine is needed . point the pot inside a clear pliant bag and close it with a twist draw . Open it only to water when the medium depend slightly dry .
In a couple of weeks , prove to see if the plant life has rooted by mildly tugging on a leaf or envision roots in the drain mess . When it has developed a robust root system , repot it in a pot with fresh potting filth .
Gold dust cuttings will rout in water system , but the roots will be small and washy , so this method is n’t recommend .

Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Types of Gold Dust Plant
‘Variegata’ Aucuba
Aucuba japonica’Variegata ' is a female selection that flaunts gold dapple and slur scattered on benighted immature leaves . It grows 10 foot grandiloquent and wide . Zones 7 - 9
‘Picturata’ Aucuba
This variety show ofAucuba japonicais known for showy dark green leaves with burnished favourable - yellow centers . It will raise berries if a manful pollinizer is nearby . Zones 6 - 10
‘Gold Dust’ Aucuba
Aucuba’Gold Dust ' is a long - sentence favorite female selection with leaves generously dusted with gold specks . It grows 10 feet improbable and wide-eyed . Zones 6 - 10
Companion Plants for Gold Dust Plant
Pair Au junk plant withcamellia , hydrangea , fatsia , andrhododendronfor a colorful , promiscuous - care shrub planting that supply interest group year - round .
Frequently Asked Questions
When plant in ideal conditions , gold junk plants live up to 20 years in the garden .
Gold dust plant are slow - growing . It can take 10 or more class for a 6- to 10 - fundament marvellous plant to reach its mature height .

Credit: Denny Schrock

Credit: Tony Walsh