Ruscus
( RUSS - kuss )
At-A-Glance Information
This genus of evergreen shrubs is also called Butcher's Broom, and does best in some shade or with filtered sun and needs little to moderate water. Branches are flattened and leaflike, and bear small white flowers; they make interesting additions to cut flower arrangements. If male and female flowers are grown close to each other, flowers will be followed by small bright red or yellow fruits. Ruscus plants are native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and southwestern Asia and the Caucasus. These plants are valuable as groundcovers under trees, and will spread quickly via underground rhizomes.
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Ruscus Species and Varietals
The genus Ruscus includes 6 species of flowering plants, and is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae. Butcher's Broom grows best in zones 4-24 and H1. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Caring for and pruning ruscus shrubs
Ruscus shrubs are considered low-maintenance plants, and should be situated in an area that gets partial to full shade. These shrubs can grow in dappled sunlight, but do best when not exposed to direct, intense sunlight for extended periods of time.
In desert areas, these plants are susceptible to chlorosis. Soil should be well-draining and loamy to sandy. They prefer a soil pH of between 3.0 and 5.0, and if you have clay or heavy soil, make sure to amend it with plenty of organic material before planting your shrub. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. During the warmer months of the year, it may need to be watered more frequently.
Apply a layer of organic mulch to the area around the shrub to increase soil moisture retention and discourage weeds. These easy-care plants do not need much in the way of pruning; it can happen at any time of the year, and is only needed to gently shape the plant. These shrubs also do not need to be fertilized, unless they seem to be struggling or are in particularly poor soil. In this case, apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer once in springtime.
In desert areas, these plants are susceptible to chlorosis. Soil should be well-draining and loamy to sandy. They prefer a soil pH of between 3.0 and 5.0, and if you have clay or heavy soil, make sure to amend it with plenty of organic material before planting your shrub. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. During the warmer months of the year, it may need to be watered more frequently.
Apply a layer of organic mulch to the area around the shrub to increase soil moisture retention and discourage weeds. These easy-care plants do not need much in the way of pruning; it can happen at any time of the year, and is only needed to gently shape the plant. These shrubs also do not need to be fertilized, unless they seem to be struggling or are in particularly poor soil. In this case, apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer once in springtime.
Propagation
Ruscus shrubs can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Ruscus by Cutting
Propagating Ruscus by Seed
Propagating Ruscus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Ruscus by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Ruscus by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Ruscus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Problems and Pests
Although Ruscus plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases, they can have some problems with the following:
- Aphids
- Scale Insects
Gallery
Videos
All about Butcher's Broom shrubs.
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How to care for these shrubs.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 580, Ruscus
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