Can someone comment on the natural lifecycle "look" of the leaves on an aucuba japonica? I have a very mature plant, about 12 feet high. As you can see from the pictures, there is a yellowing and browning of some of the leaves at this time (just after it has "bloomed"), while many others remain quite healthy looking. However, I am not sure how healthy they actually are. Is yellowing and browning and some drop-off of leaves quite natural or does this mean that it is lacking in some nutrients? Any ideas? Please see the pictures attached. I look forward to reading your comments.
I would agree that this looks like normal shedding, since the mature aucuba in my yard is known to do the same thing. I nearly dug it out 10 years ago because of this behaviour....but I decided to 'give it one more year', and still it thrives! Not a glamourous plant, but the yellow-green foliage colour is great on a grey day.