Ruscus aculeatus 'Elizabeth Lawrence' (Elizabeth Lawrence Butcher's Broom)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-9, at least 24" tall Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean

This dwarf hermaphroditic (satisfies itself sexually) butcher's broom came from the garden of the late NC garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence. This tightly compact form eventually makes a 2' tall x 2' wide clump after 10 years. The thick, upright stems are adorned with spiny green cladodes (leaf wannabes) and highlighted by large numbers of glossy, bright red fruit from summer through late spring. Our plants are 4-5 years old from a seed strain that seems virtually identical to the parent. Although a fabulous, indestructible plant, this is never going to make it big with the petunia and pansy crowd that shop at Wal-Mart. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)