Butcher's Broom

Ruscus Aculeatus

Design with this plant

Overview

Ruscus aculeatus, commonly known as Butcher's Broom, is a tough evergreen shrub standing about 2-3 feet tall with a similar spread. Adapted to partial/full shade, it sports rich green, spine-tipped leaf-like structures (cladodes) with tiny flowers centered in winter. Red berries emerge in fall. Drought-resistant, this plant's dense growth habit makes it excellent for low-maintenance groundcover or understory plantings in hardiness zones 7-9.

Sun Deep Shade, ShadeWater LowZones 7–10

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Red berries emerge in fall

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Red berries emerge in fall

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — commonly known as Butcher's Broom

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — is a tough evergreen shrub standing about 2-3 feet tall with a similar spread

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Adapted to partial/full shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — spine-tipped leaf-like structures (cladodes) with tiny flowers centered in winter

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — upright stems that grow to a mature height of about 2.5 to 3 feet and a spread of 2 to 3 feet

Culture

Sun: Deep Shade, Shade
Water: Low
USDA zones: 7–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Liliaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (78)

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — This tough plant has a distinctive appearance

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Red berries emerge in fall

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — commonly known as Butcher's Broom

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — is a tough evergreen shrub standing about 2-3 feet tall with a similar spread

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Adapted to partial/full shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — spine-tipped leaf-like structures (cladodes) with tiny flowers centered in winter

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — upright stems that grow to a mature height of about 2.5 to 3 feet and a spread of 2 to 3 feet

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — The leaves are not true leaves but are modified

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — pointed stems (cladodes) which perform photosynthesis

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — which give rise to vibrant red berries in the fall and winter

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — These berries are a considerable attraction

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — characterized by its dark green

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — with only the female bearing the berries.<br><br>Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — this shrub is highly adaptable

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — providing a bold contrast against the dark foliage and a source of food for birds

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — so both male and female plants are needed for fruit production

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — tolerating a range of soil conditions from sandy to clay and preferring partial to full shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — ground cover with white blooms

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — white flowers in the garden

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — ground cover for deep shade or shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Butcher's Broom is also drought-resistant once established

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Ensure to plant both male and female specimens if berry production is desired

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Butcher's Broom offers an attractive

Related plants

Silver Leaf Astelia (Astelia Chathamica) — is a striking New Zealand native with elegant

Silver Leaf Astelia

Astelia Chathamica

Half · Zones 9–10

Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia Uvaria) — commonly known as the Red Hot Poker

Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia Uvaria

Full · Zones 5–10

'Waterslide' Hosta (Hosta hybrid) — Proven Winners - Shadowland® 'Waterslide' - Hosta hybrid purple lavender plant details

'Waterslide' Hosta

Hosta hybrid

Flamenco Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia Uvaria 'Flamenco') — Flamenco Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco') dazzles with fiery spikes

Flamenco Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia Uvaria 'Flamenco'

Full · Zones 5–9

Giant 'Lone Star' Hosta (Hosta hybrid) — This Proven Winners® hosta grows 26-28 inches tall and spreads 50-56 inches, creating a broad, lush presence

Giant 'Lone Star' Hosta

Hosta hybrid

Royal Purple Lily Turf (Liriope Muscari 'Royal Purple') — The Royal Purple Lily Turf (Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple') is an ornamental grass-like perennial

Royal Purple Lily Turf

Liriope Muscari 'Royal Purple'

Half · Zones 6–10