Jesse- Try bonsai BC, http://bonsaibc.ca/shrubs%20A%20-%20D.htm, they have by far the best price you'll find (6.95 per plant). FYI- I've not had luck with this species down here, I think I'm perhaps 1 zone too cold for it to well in the long run. My plants keep getting smaller each year, only 1 was killed outright, but they aren't ornamental in any sense! I do wrap them with frost cloth and mulch up about 6".

I should also say that I haven't tried a larger plant. It might be possible to hit an equilibrium of growth with a larger plant, and even get growth in year with milder winters... Again, my small plants are not 100% accurate indicators. I did some digging to see what I could find about culture of this plant in the north.

Here's a site that claims mature Aucuba is hardy in zone 5... http://www.gardenguides.com/69212-winterize-japanese-aucuba.html ... Here's a forum topic about a person killing it outright in zone 5: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/shade/msg100952541625.html . I think that Francko mentions it in "palms don't grow here and other truths" as being experimented with in zone 3 Wisco.

I say try it, you don't know how it will do until you try... If you want an alternative plant suggestion, an alternative is Pieris. I know it doesn't have the same spotted leaves, but it is at least a full zone hardier and does have spectacular red new growth through most of the season! Just be careful about selecting a cold hardy form. http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/p/piejap/piejap1.html

Hey- Found some pics:

Here's the 7 dollar Aucubas:
<img src=" " alt="cactusjune08plus 002">
The smaller one perished the first winter. The larger one may still be alive but is approximately 3" high now (compared to the 2' it was when it arrived. The the right is a F. murieale which perished the first summer I had it.

Excellent. THere quite a few plants that are more hardy when their larger, brahea is to my knowledge. The best thing is, they make good house plants apperantly, so i can more then likley get one or 2, keep one inside, the other out. THats what im doing with my basjoo.

Wow you killed a murieale :s. Too much sun? or too dry? Fargesia love the climate here.

Thanks for the link, I've been searching for an online source too !

Paul, that place is wicked.... ive alredy tallied a list for the spring LOL

Aucuba is a plant that is hardy here, just not in my care. 🙁
I planted two in Spring. Small ones--most likely my error, as large ones are available locally.
One died over summer; the other nearly so but is recovering now as it gets more shade. I'll cover it for winter.

I think thatll be good for me. If i do get smaller ones, theyll go in shade. Then again, since im a but further north they may take a bit more sun.

I'm trying them for the first time, no protection. A nice shaded spot. Tony at Coles in Niagara carries them.

Excelent scotty, let us know how they fair this winter. PErsonaly if i had more then one, id experiment one with and without protection, just to see the difference.

THis babys add a really nice tropical vibe, evn though they are almost anything but... Aucuba has been following be around for years. Once in a while, itll pop up in my plant searches, then ill forget about it, then itll pop up again. I think its time i heed the signs eh:P

Scotty- With luck we'll have a warm winter and you'll see no damage at all!

I'll have to scour my garden to see if those plants are still alive at all. I don't recall seeing them recently.

Ive lost plant before.... never thought it would happen. LOL. I hope scottys makes it, and i hope we have another winter like last ( more snow!!), and i hope urs are still kickin paul....

Paul i send u a pm...... let me know if u recieved it please.....

Don't know of a good source but they do propagate very easy. Just cut off a stem and stick it into water and it will send out roots in a month. Aucubas don't like winter sun or they will burn. I had to move mine to the north side of my house and it does GREAT with no burn. It sounds crazy since the north side is the coldest but winter sun does lots of damage. Here's my Aucuba.......close to 6 feet tall now.

That's a beauty Tim!

I wonder if it is in danger form being overtaken by your Yucca collection? 😉

Wow tim thats sexy...... LOL. IT looks super super healthy. I do already have a spot picked out, it otn get any sun during the winter ( thanks for the heads up BTW)