Ruscus
Butcher's broom
- Height × spread
- 0.8m – 0.8m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The Butcher's broom is often overlooked because it is a modest shrub, somewhat tolerant of abuse. This has curious foliage, and the leaves are in fact flattened stems called "cladodes". The best known is the Butcher's broom Ruscus aculeatus which has red berries. Some pleasing cultivars are available which will carry fruit for several months. Other forms are more exotic in their appearance, Ruscus hypoglossum for example makes a characterful clump around half a metre in height. These are grown for the appeal of the foliage and fruit, some might find them dull, others find they have a charm all their own.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.8m – 0.8m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Rabbit resistant, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, 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.