Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', mid October. Commonly known as Japanese or Spotted Laurel. "Spotted laurels have been much abused in recent years, planted in - and associated with - the most inhospitable places. Our 'Crotonifolia' is a male with large, leathery, elliptic leaves, which are shallowly serrated, and heavily blotched with yellow. It makes a handsome, rounded, evergreen shrub that is conspicuous throughout the year but especially bright in spring with a flush of fresh foliage. The flowers, which are small and form in loose clusters, are a curious, chocolate-purple colour. Bright-red berries follow on female neighbours. Old-fashioned and divisive, not to everyone's taste." [Fergus Garrett, Great Dixter, Nurseryman's Favourites, Gardens Illustrated magazine, December 2013]