About
This evergreen shrub grows in dense clumps, typically reaching a height of about 1 meter. Its flexible stems support elongated, narrow, pointed green structures known as cladodes, which serve the purpose of leaves. During the flowering phase, small, greenish, star-shaped blooms appear, often giving way to bright red, berry-like fruits.
About the genus
Ruscus comprises rhizomatous evergreen subshrubs characterized by flattened, leaf-like cladophylls. These plants produce small pale green flowers, which are succeeded by glossy red berries on female or hermaphrodite specimens.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will grow in almost any garden situation, except waterlogged ground, including dry shade
- Pruning
- Cut out dead stems to the base in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility