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Rheum x hybridum (any variety) (Rhubarb (any variety))

Other names: Garden rhubarb (any variety), Pie plant (any variety), Rheum x cultorum (any variety)

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Add to plant list
Variety or Cultivar
If you don't know the variety name of your Rheum x hybridum (Garden rhubarb), you can add this plant to your lists to get care advice. R. x hybridum (any variety) are vigorous, upright perennial, grown as an edible crop, with large, glossy, wrinkled, lobed, dark green leaves and thick, upright, edible, red stems harvested from late spring to midsummer. If left unharvested, yellow flowers bloom in late spring and early summer.
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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 1.2 m 2-5 years
4 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant dormant crowns from late autumn to early spring in fertile soil in sun. Dig in well-rotted manure before planting. Plant crown tip so it is just visible above the soil. Mulch in spring, taking care not to bury the crowns. Feed in spring or summer. Water regularly in dry periods.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks, Add to salads

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

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

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Garden origin

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances. Dispose of them on the compost heap.

Plant care

Pruning

Remove any flowering shoots that appear. Do not harvest the first year after planting. Harvest stalks from mid-spring to early summer (hold the stalk close to the ground and twist) Leave at least 4 stalks at any given time. Cut back dead leaves in autumn.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Lift and divide crowns from late autumn to early spring. Outer sections of old plants are better to use than centre sections. Replant promptly.

Pests

Diseases

Honey fungus

Crown rot

Fertilise fruit and vegetables

Water regularly through dry periods

Mulch with leaf mould or garden compost in spring (optional)

Separate new fern crowns

Remove faded or dead foliage (optional)

Dig next year's bed over in autumn adding manure or compost

Plant rhubarb crowns

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Rheum

Companion plants (0)

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