Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'

Also Known As

Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheelers Variety'
Butcher's Broom
Wheeler's Variety Butcher's Broom

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 3'-5'
W: 3'-4'

planting zones

7a-11

More Options

Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety' plant details

Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety' is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter green and white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Grows well with sun - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: green and white blooms in spring and winter
Uses: compact, easy-to-grow, spiky, winter interest, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'

USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Also known as ‘Butcher’s Broom’; deep green spined evergreen foliage on upright stems, grows slowly to 4’; a self-fruitful form, red berries form on leaves (yes, I said ON leaves!) in fall and last into winter. Thrives in shade, even DRY shade (but also takes moderate moisture), in average soil. Deer and critter proof! Makes a nice specimen. Rare and choice.

By: Secret Garden Growers

The butchersbroom is a moderate grower (18”) and will form a thicket of deep green pointed leaves. The red fruit are vibrant against the small deep green leaves.

By: Gossler Farms

A self fertile clone of Butcher's Broom with stiff, upright stems and insignificant green flowers in late winter to early spring followed by bright red berries alone or in a crowd along the branches. From the Mediterranean, this is an extremely drought tolerant, evergreen shrub, to approximately 3 ft tall and wide. We've seen it used in place of boxwood very effectively. Fine in sun to part shade with little summer water needed once established. Frost hardy to 0F, USDA zone 7.

By: Cistus Nursery

Everyone needs a hermaphroditic Butchers broom, but cuttings don't root and we feared we would never produce enough to list, hacking to pieces with a machete did the trick, and now you too can sample this perverse pleasure. Wicked evergreen spine tipped cladophyls (pseudo-leaves) clothe the naked photosynthetic stems rendering a semblance of normalcy, until the twisted hermaphroditic flowers burst forth from their cladophyll prison, pregnancy follows this depraved act and soon luscious round firm red fruits erupt obscenely from the center of each leaf. According to Dirr its shade tolerant, or perhaps such evil can't stand the full light of day.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Garden photo gallery of Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'

Photo of Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety' foliage, fruit by Cistus Nursery

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By: Cistus Nursery

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Gardening facts about Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety' plant

How to Grow Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'

Sun Exposure
- sun - shade
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Soil Needs
- adaptable
- average
- well-drained
- rich
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- humidity tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant