Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ruscus aculeatus
Other names
Butcher's broom, Shepherd's myrtle, Wild myrtle, Pettigree, Pettigrue, Prickly box, Knee holm, Kneeholy, Knee hull, Box holly, Jew's myrtle, Knee holly
Genus
Ruscus Ruscus
Species
R. aculeatus - R. aculeatus is a small bushy sub-shrub with glossy lance-shaped foliage, pale-green flowers in spring, followed by glossy red berries (on female plants) in summer and autumn.
Ruscus aculeatus is: Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Toxicity
All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
Flower
Pale-green in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut out dead stems to the base in spring.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Instant
Cultivation
Plant in any soil and aspect (except for boggy, waterlogged soils).
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Ruscus aculeatus
Other names
Butcher's broom, Shepherd's myrtle, Wild myrtle, Pettigree, Pettigrue, Prickly box, Knee holm, Kneeholy, Knee hull, Box holly, Jew's myrtle, Knee holly
Genus
Ruscus Ruscus
Species
R. aculeatus - R. aculeatus is a small bushy sub-shrub with glossy lance-shaped foliage, pale-green flowers in spring, followed by glossy red berries (on female plants) in summer and autumn.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Toxicity
All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Pale-green in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Cut out dead stems to the base in spring.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Instant
Cultivation
Plant in any soil and aspect (except for boggy, waterlogged soils).
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Tom Dixon and IKEA are curious to see how we can make a positive impact on what we put on our plates, and hence our planet by exploring urban growing. Through our garden, we will use democratic… read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
berries
Ruscus aculeatus
There are 2 active discussions about Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom)
View all discussions