Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety' (Wheeler's Variety Butcher's Broom)

Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-9, possibly colder 54" tall Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean

This strange Eurasian poet's laurel relative 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. My first plant came from Elizabeth Lawrence's old Raleigh garden, after the home was used as a fraternity house for 30 years... that's one tough plant. A conversation piece for collectors, R. 'Wheeler's Variety' is probably the single best plant we grow for dry shade, albeit quite slow to bulk up. Our 8-year-old clumps are now 4.5' tall. R. 'Wheeler's Variety' is a self-fruiting form (without benefit of a sexual partner) of a normally dioecious plant. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)