About
Ruscus hypoglossum, the spineless butcher's broom, is a compact evergreen shrub to about 50 cm forming clumps of arching stems with pointed, glossy, fresh-green cladodes. Tiny, greenish-cream flowers are borne on the cladodes in spring and may be followed by bright-red berries in summer. An excellent and ornamental shade-tolerant evergreen for a shaded, moist border.
About the genus
Ruscus are rhizomatous evergreen subshrubs with flattened, leaf-like cladophylls bearing small, pale-green flowers, followed on female or hermaphrodite plants by glossy, red berries. Excellent shade-tolerant evergreen plants for deep shade.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesBorders, containers, mixed plantings.
Native toEurope to Turkey
Care notes
CultivationWill grow in almost any garden situation, except waterlogged ground, including dry shade
PruningCut out dead stems to the base in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility