Butcher's broom, is an evergreen shrub in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. The plant grows well in partial or lightly shaded sites, but will tolerate full shade, in a range of soil types, and in average well-drained soil. and can be useful as a hedge. It is hardy and tolerates drought, heat, and salt. Plants have a slowly creeping rootstock and will form large clumps. It may sucker to form colonies and you should cut away dead stems at the base of the plant in the spring. The plant is also commonly known as Knee Holly because, when mature, it reaches knee height. Most species of Ruscus are dioecious (that is, have separate male and female plants) except for this species which sometimes has self-fertile flowers. Regardless of this trait, you should plant both sexes in a ratio of one male to six female if maximizing fruit production is desired. The flowers of this plant are insignificant, but they are followed by bright, waxy, red berries that last from late summer into the winter. The actual leaves of this shrub are very small. The glossy dark green parts of the plant that appear to be leaves are actually shoots or stems that act as a base for the flowers and berries. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known insect or disease problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Actual leaves are microscopic. The bush does display ovate, thick, spiny-tipped, glossy dark green, leaf-like structures (to 1 1/2 inches long) that are flattened leaf-like shoots (modified stems) called cladophylls on which the flowers and fruits are borne.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, dull gray-white flowers in spring. Some cultivars are perfect flowered.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Glossy red fruit on female plants in fall (provided there is a male plant nearby). Persists into winter.