Butcher's Broom Ruscus aculeatus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- RUS-kus ah-kew-LAY-ah-tus
- Description
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Butcher's broom, is an evergreen shrub in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. The plant grows well in partial or lightly shaded sites, but will tolerate full shade, in a range of soil types, and in average well-drained soil. and can be useful as a hedge. It is hardy and tolerates drought, heat, and salt. Plants have a slowly creeping rootstock and will form large clumps. It may sucker to form colonies and you should cut away dead stems at the base of the plant in the spring. The plant is also commonly known as Knee Holly because, when mature, it reaches knee height.
Most species of Ruscus are dioecious (that is, have separate male and female plants) except for this species which sometimes has self-fertile flowers. Regardless of this trait, you should plant both sexes in a ratio of one male to six female if maximizing fruit production is desired. The flowers of this plant are insignificant, but they are followed by bright, waxy, red berries that last from late summer into the winter. The actual leaves of this shrub are very small. The glossy dark green parts of the plant that appear to be leaves are actually shoots or stems that act as a base for the flowers and berries.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Butcher's Broom'
- 'Elizabeth Lawrence'
- 'Wheeler's Variety'
- 'Butcher's Broom'
- 'Butcher's Broom', 'Elizabeth Lawrence', 'Wheeler's Variety'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Butcher's Broom'
- 'Elizabeth Lawrence'
- 'Wheeler's Variety'
- 'Butcher's Broom'
- 'Butcher's Broom', 'Elizabeth Lawrence', 'Wheeler's Variety'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ruscus
- Species:
- aculeatus
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Africa, West Asia, Europe
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Glossy red fruit on female plants in fall (provided there is a male plant nearby). Persists into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, dull gray-white flowers in spring. Some cultivars are perfect flowered.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Actual leaves are microscopic. The bush does display ovate, thick, spiny-tipped, glossy dark green, leaf-like structures (to 1 1/2 inches long) that are flattened leaf-like shoots (modified stems) called cladophylls on which the flowers and fruits are borne.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Salt