Ruscus hyrcanus (Azerbaijan Broom)

Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9 24" tall Origin: Azerbaijan

Open House/Web-Only! Here's another one that you won't find in your favorite gardening encyclopedia. This endemic of Azerbaijan (get out the map) grows in the lowland forests around the Caspian Sea with Parrotia persica and Danae racemosa. R. hyrcanus closely resembles R. aculeatus, but so far the "leaves" seem more dissected. The spiny, dark green foliage (actually cladodes, which is a stem that appears to have been run over by a bulldozer) makes a clump to 1-2' tall, adorned in fall with bright red fruit. Be the first in your neighborhood to have an Azerbaijan bed in your garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)