Ruscus aculeatus was used for scrubbing butchers' blocks, cleaning chimneys, repelling rats and mice. It was also used extensively in medieval folk medicine for a variety of ailments; too many to mention here and not recommended by the writer!

This is a clumping evergreen shrub that thrives in the shade. It has white flowers that appear in autumn/winter, followed by red berries.

This plant is ideal for those areas of the garden that rarely see the sun. Foliage lasts well when cut and used for flower arrangements.

Height to 1m. Width to 1m

FULL SHADE to morning sun only

Frost and drought hardy