Ruscus aculeatus 'Christmas Berry' PP 16,680 (Christmas Berry Butcher's Broom)

Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7-9 12" tall Origin: England, Iran, Mediterranean

This unique dwarf selection of the easy-to-grow evergreen butcher's broom is very similar to a clone that the late Elizabeth Lawrence grew in her garden. This form, however, originated as a seedling selection by Gys Petrus de Jong of Dublin, Ireland, although Gys got some really bad advice about the economic return from patenting a ruscus. The spiny, dark green cladodes (fake leaves) are compacted nearly on top of each other along the dark green stems. Throughout the winter, this self-fruitful form is covered with a dazzling show of bright red berries. R. 'Christmas Berry' makes a 1' tall x 1' wide patch in 5 years...painfully slow, but incredibly beautiful. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)