Ruscus aculeatus, Butcher's Broom

Ruscus aculeatus

This strange shrub is native from Europe to Iran and is found in forests and rock crevices especially in limestone soils.In France it is known as Fragon and in Spain Brusco Rusco or Butcher's Broom. It is a grown as a garden shrub throughout the world and is hardy across a range of climates from warm temperate to cold. It does not have true leaves but flattened stems called cladodes which resemble leaves .In the middle of the 'leaf' is a small spine and this is where small greenish flowers occur as well as bright red berries in female plants. It is a very hardy garden shrub, usually growing to a metre and is good for difficult sites in shade.
2017 update: I am currently not growing it.