Images Depict Mature Plants
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba
Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike'
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is a really useful shrub when a shade planting needs more life and more purpose. The foliage is bright enough to stand on its own, and its ability to help pollinate female aucubas gives it an extra role that many homeowners will appreciate.
20% OFF FOR EARTH DAY
Use Code EARTH20 At Checkout🌎
📦 Free shipping on orders over $99.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:
Bold gold-speckled foliage for brightening shady spaces
A striking evergreen that brings color into the shade.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is a broadleaf evergreen shrub grown for its glossy green leaves splashed with bright yellow variegation. In darker parts of the landscape, that gold-speckled foliage helps brighten the planting and keeps the bed from feeling flat or heavy. It is one of those shrubs that gives a shady corner a more intentional, finished look.
Year-round foliage makes it valuable well beyond bloom season.
This plant is grown primarily for its foliage, not its flowers. The leaves stay attractive through the seasons, giving the plant lasting value in foundation beds, courtyard gardens, and sheltered shade plantings. Even when little else is happening nearby, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba keeps the space looking full and evergreen.
A strong fit for shade gardens and protected locations.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba performs best in partial shade to deep shade and is especially useful in sites protected from harsh wind and intense direct sun. It works beautifully beneath taller trees, beside shaded foundations, or in protected entry gardens where many other evergreen shrubs would struggle or scorch.
Useful both as an ornamental shrub and as a pollenizer.
One of the most important things about Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba is that it is a male aucuba cultivar. That means it is valuable not only for its foliage, but also because it can serve as a pollinator for nearby female aucuba varieties, such as Gold Dust Aucuba, which are capable of producing red berries. If you are planting a berrying female aucuba, this cultivar can play an important supporting role in the landscape.
Easy care starts with shade and good drainage.
Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba performs best in well-drained soil with regular moisture during establishment. It is tolerant of urban conditions and shade, but like other aucubas, it benefits from protection from harsh sun and winter wind. It is generally chosen for foliage and pollinator value rather than for fruit display, since male plants do not produce ornamental berries themselves.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 feet |
| Mature Width: | 4 to 6 feet |
| Sunlight: | Partial shade to deep shade |
| Soil | Well-drained soil with organic matter; adaptable if drainage is good |
| Water | Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment |
| Bloom Time / Color | Early spring; small purple flowers |
| Foliage | Glossy green leaves speckled with bright yellow |
| Berry / Fruit | Male cultivar; does not produce ornamental berries |
| Ornamental Features | Bold variegated foliage, evergreen structure, shade tolerance |
| Pollination | Male aucuba cultivar; useful as a pollinator for female aucuba varieties such as Gold Dust |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Tolerant of shade and urban conditions; avoid poorly drained soils and harsh direct sun |
| Landscape Uses | Shade gardens, foundation plantings, evergreen borders, loose screens, pollinator companion for female aucubas |
How to Care for Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba for years to come!
-v1777063306831.png?92x91){kind=icon}
How should I plant Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba?
Plant Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba in partial shade to deep shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball, set the shrub level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and water deeply to settle the roots. Apply mulch after planting to help conserve moisture and moderate soil conditions, but keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. Choose a protected location if possible, since intense afternoon sun and drying wind can damage the foliage.
-v1777063329697.png?89x84){kind=icon}
How often should I water Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba after planting?
Water Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba deeply right after planting, then keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season while it establishes. During warm periods, check the soil regularly and water when the upper layer begins to dry. Once established, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba becomes easier to manage and can handle short dry spells better than many tender shade shrubs. It still performs best with consistent moisture and good drainage rather than repeated drought stress or soggy conditions.
-v1777063344180.png?90x89){kind=icon}
When should I fertilize Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba?
Fertilize Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba in early spring before new growth begins. A balanced shrub fertilizer or general-purpose evergreen fertilizer is usually enough to support healthy foliage and steady growth. Avoid overfeeding, especially late in the season. In rich soil, Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba often needs only light annual feeding to maintain good color and density.
When and how should I prune Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba?
Prune Mr. Goldstrike Aucuba in late winter or early spring if shaping is needed. Remove dead, damaged, or awkward branches first, then selectively shorten stems to maintain fullness and size. Because this shrub is grown for foliage and structure, selective thinning usually looks better than repeated hard shearing. Occasional renewal pruning can also help refresh older plants that have become sparse or leggy.
