Ruscus aculeatus (Butchers Broom or Jew's Myrtle)
Botanical Information
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Ruscus |
| Species | aculeatus |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to the Mediterranean. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15° - -10° |
| Temperature (°F) | 5° - 14° |
| Height | 1 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Rhizomatous evergreen subshrub with flattened, leaf-life cladophylls; bushy growth habit. |
| Shape | Bushy. |
| Landscape | Wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows, floral arrangements. |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed or division. |
| Cultivation | Dried stems can be used in floral arrangements. Shoots are short-lived. Grow in non-waterlogged soils. To prune, cut dead stems to the base in spring. |
| Pests | No notable pests. May be susceptible to honey fungus where present. |
| Habitat | It grows well in any light situation and prefers medium levels of soil moisture. |
| Flower Description | Small pale green flowers. |
| Fruit Description | Glossy red berries on female or hermaphrodite plants. |
Photographs
Ruscus aculeatus, form. Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. 25/10/2019.
Ruscus aculeatus, leaf. Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. 25/10/2019.