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Garden Plants for Flower Arrangements: Spotted Laurel (Acuba japonica)

Acuba japonicaSpotted laurel is a broad leaf evergreen shrub native to China, Japan and Korea where it grows in moist forest soils. Its variegated forms are very useful in both the garden and flower arrangements because of the color and texture of the foliage that is the main reason for growing the plant. The leaves may be all green or variegated by a sprinkling of yellow-to-yellow leaves edged with green. They are two to three inches long, l-2 inches wide, and glossy. Male and female flowers are usually on different plants and are small (less than 1/3 inch). They have four purplish brown petals, and are produced in loose clusters of ten to thirty. The fruits are small scarlet berries about 1/3 inch across and are not attractive to birds. Established plants are tolerant of drought, urban conditions, lean soil, salt spray, and dry shade. How can it get better than that?

Acuba japonica 2Cutting: No special treatment
Conditioning: Make vertical cuts in the bottom of stems and give long deep drink; mist to maintain freshness.
Preserving: Not relevant
Cultivation:

Size

      : 6-10’ H x 4-6’ W

Light

      : Part to full shade

Soil:

      Humusy, medium moist, well-drained

Hardiness

      : Zones 7-10

Propagation:

      Seed, stem cuttings

Care:

    Prune to maintain shape or size in mid-spring

Recommended Reading:

Flowers: The Book of Floral Design
Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers
The Complete Flower Arranging Book
The Flower Workshop
Infinite Succulents
Container Gardeners Handbook
The Plant Recipe Book
Seasonal Flower Arranging
Martha's Flowers
Discovering Dahlias
The Flower Recipe Book
Modern Faux Flower Projects
The Botanical Bible
Flower School
A Year in Flowers
The Posy Book
The Little Flower Recipe Book
Flower Porn
Flower Chef
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden
Herbs: Gardens, Decorations, and Recipes