Ruscus spp.

Butcher's broom

Asparagaceae

Europe, Mediterranean, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Ruscus spp. is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the family Asparagaceae, native to western Europe, the Mediterranean, and western Asia. The genus is known for its cladodes, flattened leaf-like shoots that take over photosynthesis, while the true leaves are reduced to tiny scales. Plants form stiff, upright to arching clumps 1-4 ft (0.3-1.2 m) tall that spread slowly by rhizomes. The dark green cladodes are 0.4-3 in (1-8 cm) long and, in several species, end in a sharp spine. Tiny greenish flowers form on the face or edge of each cladode and, on female or self-fertile plants, develop into glossy red berries 0.3-0.5 in (8-12 mm) across that persist through winter. Species grow in dry shade beneath trees and on rocky slopes, tolerating deep shade, drought, and poor soil once established, though growth is slow. Some species spread by seed and creeping rhizomes.

Native Range

Ruscus spp. is native to western and southern Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and western Asia, with outliers on Atlantic islands. Species grow in woodland, scrub, and rocky ground, often in dry shade.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a groundcover and low shrub in dry shade, woodland gardens, and difficult sites beneath trees. The berried stems are cut for winter arrangements, and the spiny forms are used as a low barrier planting.

How to Identify

Stiff green stems carry flattened, leaf-like cladodes in place of true leaves, several tipped with a sharp spine. Tiny greenish flowers sit directly on the face of each cladode, and glossy red berries develop on the same structures. The berry borne in the middle of a leaf-like shoot is the clearest sign of the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Tiny greenish flowers open from late winter into spring, and in some species again in autumn, sitting on the cladodes. They are easily overlooked, and on female or self-fertile plants they ripen into red berries that hold through winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay chalk rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Ruscus spp. grows in part to full shade on a wide range of soils, including dry, poor, and chalky ground, and tolerates conditions where many plants struggle, such as dry shade under trees. A soil pH near 6.0-8.0 is suitable. Established plants endure drought, deep shade, and neglect, but they are slow to establish and to spread. In some species both male and female plants, or self-fertile forms, are needed for berries. Few pests or diseases affect the genus.

Pruning

Cut old, damaged, or yellowing stems to the base in late winter to make room for new shoots from the rhizome. The genus regrows from the base, so whole-stem removal is used rather than trimming individual cladodes.

Pruning Schedule

winter