Species butcher's broom

butcher's broom

Ruscus aculeatus

Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is an evergreen shrub native to Europe and northern Africa. It features small green, leathery leaves and produces fine, yellow flowers in Spring. Its upright branches are covered in small sharp spines, giving it a stick-like appearance. The plant thrives in sun and shade and is tolerant of drought and frost. It makes an attractive evergreen hedge and provides year-round interest with its captivating foliage. The berries of the plant are not edible and it has also been used medicinally for centuries for shock and circulatory problems.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Greenish-white Flowers

Sun:

part shade,full shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) should be watered with enough to keep the soil lightly moist without becoming soggy or overly dry between waterings. This species prefers a well-draining soil and does not tolerate standing water, so it's best to water the plant every 7 to 10 days, depending on the temperature and moisture levels in the soil. During the warm summer and spring months, the plant may need to be watered more often, while during colder months, the soil can be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.

pruning

Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) should generally be pruned lightly once or twice a year, preferably in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. If desired, a heavier pruning can be done in late spring after flowering. Pruning should focus on removing any dead or diseased branches, as well as any overly long and straggly stems.

sunlight

The butcher's broom plant species requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day in order to properly grow and thrive. The best time to give your butcher's broom plant the light it needs is during the morning and late afternoon hours, when the sun is less powerful and intense. During these hours, the sun will provide the plant with enough light to help it flourish and remain healthy. Try to avoid exposing your butcher's broom to strong, intense light for longer than 8 hours at a time in order to reduce the risk of sun-burning the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Butcher's broom typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map