Shoot Logo
Take a photoPlans & pricingBook a demoGet started

Rheum rhaponticum (Common rhubarb)

Other names: Garden rhubarb, Pie plant, False rhubarb, Rhapontic rhubarb, Wild rhubarb, European rhubarb

ShootChecker™

STOP: Make sure you get the “Right Plant, Right Place.”

90% of plants die because they were the wrong plant choice. Shoot helps you to save valuable time and money to get the right plant choices for any garden.

How ShootChecker™ works

Get the Right Plant, Right Place

1

Provide details about your garden or your client's garden conditions

2

ShootChecker™ will help you assess if it is the right plant

3

Save money with Right Plant, Right Place.

Get started Book a demo

Other Shoot features

Laptop, tablet and mobile devices

One-stop planning
Streamlined garden design and record-keeping all in one place

Monthly care advice
Receive tailored monthly care advice for plants in your garden

Present and collaborate
Share designs and care tasks with anyone

Join Shoot today to enjoy…

  • ShootChecker™
  • One-stop garden design
  • Monthly care advice for every plant in your garden
  • Saving money with Right Plant, Right Place

All you need to do is join.

Get started
Book a demo

Already a member? Sign in

Add to plant list
Species
R. rhaponticum is robust, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with large, triangular to heart-shaped, lobed, dark green leaves and spike-like panicles of tiny, star-shaped, greenish-white flowers in late spring and early summer.
Add to plant list
ShootChecker™
Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 1 m 2-5 years
4 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

Check to see if this is the Right Plant, Right Place with ShootChecker™

Open ShootChecker™

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist soil in sun or part shade. Easily tolerates heavy clay. Hybridizes freely with other Rheum species & cultivars. Reportedly a parent of cultivated rhubarb. May be grown as an edible, but best as an ornamental.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

Native to

Bulgaria

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Deadhead faded flower spikes.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Seed is best sown in autumn in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow in a cold frame in spring. Divide in autumn or spring. Use a sharp spade or knife, ensuring at least one growth bud is in each division. Pot up small divisions and grow on in a cold frame.

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Crown rot

Water regularly through dry periods

Divide and replant in spring

Remove faded flowers stems in autumn (optional)

Plant in moist, lime free, well-drained soil

Mulch in Autumn (optional)

Plant rhubarb crowns

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Rheum

Companion plants (2)

Select all Deselect all
0 selected Add to a plant list
0 selected
Sambucus nigra 'Aurea'
View
Select
Sambucus nigra 'Aurea' Golden elder
Trollius x cultorum 'Superbus'
View
Select
Trollius x cultorum 'Superbus' Globeflower 'Superbus'
Select all Deselect all Add to a plant list

Related content

Discuss Rheum rhaponticum with other Shoot members
Read more
TOP