Danae racemosa
Alexandrian laurel
Also known as Ruscus racemosus
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a good plant for groundcover in shady places. The long, shiny, pointed leaves are in fact flattened stems. It has insignificant yellow flowers followed by red fruits if the weather is hot. It is grown for its bamboo-like appearance and the intriguing, all-over smoothness. It's a plant that's sometimes reproduced in plastic for low maintenance indoor plantings!
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown, Green
- Fruit colour
- Orange
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.