Plant Profile

Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom, )

Ruscus is a low growing sub-shrub, with dense evergreen prickly foliage. Its small greenish flowers appear in spring, having no landscape interest. It bears very attractive red berries in fall. It is ideal in a naturalistic woodland setting, flourishing under shade. Though not highly attractive, it is useful as ground cover. It grows 1m tall by 2m spread and is a a drought tolerant plant. Its spiny growth can deter unwanted visitors but attracts wildlife to feed or nest. It is an all round tough plant suitable for problem areas with valuable winter interest. Evergreen foliage for all year round colour and screening. N.B: all plant parts are toxic if ingested.

Landscape Information
Botanical Description
Horticulture Management

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By No machine-readable author provided. Aroche assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Fritz Geller-Grimm and Felix Grimm (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By KENPEI (KENPEIs photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

By (c) 2005 Zubro (image by myself) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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French Name: Fragon, Fragon épineux, Petit houx

Pronunciation: RUS-kus ah-kew-lee-AY-tus
Plant type: Shrub
Origin: UK
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Uses: Specimen, Wildlife, Cut Flowers / Arrangements
Size/Shape

Growth Rate: Moderate

Tree Shape: Upright

Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical

Canopy Density: Open

Canopy Texture: Fine

Height at Maturity: 0.5 to 1 m

Spread at Maturity: 0.5 to 1 meter

Time to Ultimate Height: 5 to 10 Years

By (c) 2005 Zubro (image by myself) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By No machine-readable author provided. Aroche assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Fritz Geller-Grimm and Felix Grimm (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (KENPEIs photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (KENPEIs photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Foliage

Leaf Arrangement : Alternate

Leaf Venation: Nearly Invisible

Leaf Persistance: Evergreen

Leaf Type: Simple

Leaf Blade: Less than 5

Leaf Shape: Lanceolate

Leaf Margins: Entire

Leaf Texture: Leathery, Glossy

Color(growing season): Green

Color(changing season): Green
Flower

Flower Showiness: No

Flower Scent: No Fragance

Flower Color: Green

Seasons: Spring
Trunk

Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked
Fruit

Fruit Showiness: Yes

Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5

Fruit Color: Green

Seasons: Spring

By (c) 2005 Zubro (image by myself) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By No machine-readable author provided. Aroche assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Fritz Geller-Grimm and Felix Grimm (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (KENPEIs photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
By KENPEI (KENPEIs photo) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Tolerance

Frost Tolerant: Yes

Drought Tolerance: No
Requirements

Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral

Water Requirements: Moderate, Low

Light Requirements: Part, Shade
Management

Toxicity: Yes

Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

Surface Rooting: No

Life Span: Less than 25

Plant Propagation: Seed, Division