Ruscus aculeatus
Plant Expert:
Michael Dirr Ruscus aculeatus
Michael Dirr
Ruscus aculeatus
Ruscus aculeatus (click for large image)
Butcher's Broom 		Common Names:
  • Butcher's Broom
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Butcher's Broom Butcher's Broom
Butcher's Broom
 
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Origin:

  Europe, northern Africa and the Near East  

Sun/Water Requirements:

  Partial/Full shade.
Moderate to dry conditions.
Dirr says: "an unusual plant that can be used in deep shady corners of the garden where few plants will thrive. One particular plant on campus (U. of GA) was literally smothered by shade but nonetheless maintained a rather dense and healthy constitution."

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

  Zone 7 to Zone 9

Dirr says: "This species although not spectacular, does quite well in Zone 7b."

Growth:

  Range: Grows to 5'.
Dirr says: "tends to sucker and will gradually form a rather good-sized colony. Forms a neat, 1 1/2 to 3' high mound of rather erect, rigid stems. The plant is quite prickly."

Flowers:

  Color(s): White
Season(s): Spring

Dirr says: "the dull white, 1/4" diameter flowers (March - April) are borne in the center of the cladophyll (a flattened stem that has the function of a leaf) and makes a curious sight."  

Foliage:

  Broadleaf Evergreen
Color: Leaves are dark green in the summer.
 

Fruit:

  Color: Red
Season(s): Early Fall
Dirr says: "ripen September - October and persist into the following spring. Fruits are genuinely handsome and appear as small, red cherries studding the branches. Plants are generally dioecious and male and female must be present if fruit set is to occur. The oblong berry is glossy, bright red, 1/3 to 1/2" long and borne in the center of the cladophyll."  

Landscape Value:

  Can be used as a grouping plant.

Dirr says: "the species, although not spectacular, does quite well in Zone 7b."

Other:

  Is Resistant to Disease
Is Resistant to Drought
Is Resistant to Insects
Is Heat Tolerant
 
Ruscus aculeatus is hardy in these areas:
Alameda, CAAlamo, CAAmerican Canyon, CA
Angwin, CAAntioch, CAAtwater, CA
Baltimore, MDBayside, NYBellmore, NY
Bellport, NYBethpage, NYBlue Point, NY
Bohemia, NYBrentwood, NYBrightwaters, NY
Bronx, NYBrookhaven, NYBrooklyn, NY
Brownsville, TXCastro Valley, CACharlottesville, VA
Chowchilla, CAClovis, CACoarsegold, CA
College Point, NYCorona, NYCutler, CA
Danville, CADel Rey, CADinuba, CA
Dublin, CAEast Elmhurst, NYEl Cerrito, CA
Elmhurst, NYEssex, CAFairfield, CA
Fawnskin, CAFlorence, SCFlushing, NY
Fontana, CAForest Falls, CAForest Hills, NY
Fort Eustis, VAFremont, CAFresh Meadows, NY
Glen Burnie, MDGreenlawn, NYGwynn Oak, MD
Hayward, CAHolbrook, NYHoltsville, NY
Hunt Valley, MDHuntington Station, NYHuntington, NY
Islandia, NYJackson Heights, NYJacksonville, FL
Leasburg, NCLexington, NCLiberty, NC
Linwood, NCLittle Neck, NYLivermore, CA
Ludlow, CALuling, LALutcher, LA
Marrero, LAMartinez, CAMaspeth, NY
Melville, NYMemphis, TNMeraux, LA
Merced, CAMercedes, TXMi Wuk village, CA
Middle Village, NYMidpines, CAMission, TX
Moccasin, CAModesto, CAMoraga, CA
Moreno Valley, CAMount Airy, LANapa, CA
New Sarpy, LANewark, CANewport News, VA
Norco, LANottingham, MDOakland Gardens, NY
Oakley, CAOakville, CAOlmito, TX
Orinda, CAParkville, MDPenitas, TX
Pharr, TXPhelan, CAPikesville, MD
Pinole, CA
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