Butcher's Broom

Ruscus Aculeatus

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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

Culture

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

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Liliaceae

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Photos (78)

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Adapted to partial/full shade; butcher's Broom is also drought-resistant once established

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Red berries emerge in fall; 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) — This tough plant has a distinctive appearance; with only the female bearing the berries.<br><br>Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — spine-tipped leaf-like structures (cladodes) with tiny flowers centered in winter; 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; which give rise to vibrant red berries in

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

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — The leaves are not true leaves but are modified; these berries are a considerable attraction

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — characterized by its dark green; white flowers in the garden

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; red berries emerge in fall

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — which give rise to vibrant red berries in the fall and winter; is a tough evergreen shrub standing about 2-3 feet tall

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — These berries are a considerable attraction; the leaves are not true leaves but are modified

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — pointed stems (cladodes) which perform photosynthesis; making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — with only the female bearing the berries.<br><br>Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9; this tough plant has a distinctive appearance

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — so both male and female plants are needed for fruit production; ground cover with white blooms

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — providing a bold contrast against the dark foliage and a source of food for birds; this shrub is highly adaptable

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Butcher's Broom offers an attractive; tolerating a range of soil conditions from sandy to clay and preferring partial to

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Ensure to plant both male and female specimens if berry production is desired; ground cover for deep shade or shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens; pointed stems (cladodes) which perform photosynthesis

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — Butcher's Broom is also drought-resistant once established; adapted to partial/full shade

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — this shrub is highly adaptable; providing a bold contrast against the dark foliage and a source of food for birds

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

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — ground cover with white blooms; so both male and female plants are needed for fruit production

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — commonly known as Butcher's Broom; spine-tipped leaf-like structures (cladodes) with tiny flowers centered in, image 49

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) — ground cover for deep shade or shade; ensure to plant both male and female specimens if berry production is desired

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