Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's'
Wheeler's Butcher's Broom
Item #: 1371
Zones: 7a to 9b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 54" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean Europe, Southern Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
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Ruscus aculeatus is an odd Eurasian poet's laurel relative that forms a clump composed of spiny, dark evergreen foliage held rigidly along the 54" tall, upright green stems. The clump is adorned by bright red berries in early fall and winter. Our first plant came from Elizabeth Lawrence's old Raleigh garden after the home had been used as a fraternity house for 30 years...that's one tough plant. A conversation piece for collectors, Ruscus 'Wheeler's' is probably the single best plant we grow for dry shade. Our 8-year-old clumps are now 4.5' tall. Ruscus 'Wheeler's' is a self-fruiting form (without benefit of a sexual partner) of a normally dioecious plant. If that's not enough, it is foraged as an edible asparagus substitute, the seed are ground to make coffee, and a root extract is used to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids. And you don't have one yet...why?
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Other Attributes
Genus: Ruscus
Flower Color: Green
Leaf Color: Green
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Cottage Garden Plants , Living Wall , Southwest Garden Plants
Other: Edimentals , Cut Flower Plants , Deer Resistant Plants , Drought Tolerant Plants , Dry Shade Plants , Pollinator Plants , Medicinal Plants , Ornamental Seed or Fruit , Rabbit Resistant Plants , Salt Tolerant Seaside Plants , Xeriscaping Plants