Many factors might go into choosing which plants we use in our landscapes. For most of us, the primary concern is the aesthetic value of the plant — how it looks in our yards. We all have different ...

SEATTLE — If you’re having difficulty finding a shrub that will survive in dry shade, especially underneath giant evergreens that suck up every inch of available moisture, give Aucuba japonica a try.

Dear Neil: How should I prune my aucuba plant? It is too tall, but I am afraid I’ll ruin it if I cut it very much. Answer: Prune it one stem at a time. Make each cut in a way that the remaining leaves ...