{"product_id":"ruscus-hypoglossum-female","title":"Ruscus hypoglossum (female)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSpineless Butchers Broom\u003cem\u003e Asparagaceae\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA handsome, evergreen rhizomatous perennial forming slowly expanding clumps of arching stems clothed with broad, glossy, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003espineless cladodes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Small greenish-cream flowers appear directly on the cladodes in spring, often followed by brilliant red berries on female plants. The broad floral bract gives rise to the traditional name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Double Tongue’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with the bract and cladode appearing like two overlapping tongues. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esouthern and central Europe eastwards through the Balkans and Crimea to northern Türkiye\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eR. hypoglossum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an excellent plant for difficult \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edry shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, particularly beneath established trees where its evergreen foliage provides year-round structure. It has been cultivated in Britain since at least the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is remarkably tolerant of root competition. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe young swollen shoots and fruits have been traditionally eaten in parts of its native range, although it is principally of ornamental value in British gardens. The species is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edioecious\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, so male and female plants are required if berries are wanted. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emoist but well-drained or dry soil in full shade to partial shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It is remarkably adaptable, tolerating both acid and alkaline soils and considerable drought once established. Allow plenty of room for its slowly spreading rhizomes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e April–May\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Summer–autumn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e H5, approximately –15 to –10°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 30–50cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpread:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 50–100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Edulis","offers":[{"title":"2 Litre pot","offer_id":58064555114878,"sku":null,"price":22.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/6067\/products\/Ruscushypoglossum.jpg?v=1614112394","url":"https:\/\/www.edulis.co.uk\/products\/ruscus-hypoglossum-female","provider":"Edulis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}