Ruscus colchicus

Spineless Butchers Broom Asparagaceae

A particularly elegant evergreen member of the butcher’s-broom genus, forming slowly spreading clumps of upright, arching stems clothed with broad, glossy leaf-like cladodes. Unlike the familiar Ruscus aculeatus, the cladodes are without the sharp terminal spine, giving the plant a softer appearance. Small, inconspicuous greenish flowers are produced directly on the cladodes, followed by glossy red berries on female or hermaphrodite plants. Kew recognises R. colchicus as a distinct species. 

Native to north-eastern Türkiye and the western Caucasus, it is a plant of temperate woodland and forest habitats. It makes an excellent evergreen groundcover for shade or partial shade, particularly beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where its handsome foliage provides structure throughout the year.

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. It is tolerant of quite deep shade once established and is best given space to develop its slowly expanding rhizomatous habit. Its evergreen foliage and architectural stems make it particularly valuable for winter interest.

Flowering: March–May
Fruit: Autumn–winter
Hardiness: H5, approximately –15 to –10°C
Height: 40–70cm
Spread: 60–100cm