Rheum
Rhubarb, Ornamental Rhubarb
- Height × spread
- 1m – 3m × 1.2m – 2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This covers both culinary and ornamental forms. There are around 50 species of perennial that grow over a good area of Asia and Eurasia. The culinary forms (Rheum x hybridum) include a wide-range of cultivars, some of which are old and much-loved varieties. The ornamental varieties are grown for their handsome foliage and in some cases, handsome flowers. They all have large leaves that are sometimes burnished in red and copper shades when their young growth arises in spring. The flowers are columnar and frothy. These are in shades of white, pink and red and can be very ornamental. in autumn some forms have attractive colours before the foliage collapses. They are generally hardy and can be large, Rheum australe reaches 1.5 metres in height and spread. They enjoy deep rich soil with moisture, though well drained.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple, Red, Rose
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Cone, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 1m – 3m
- Spread
- 1.2m – 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply an organic mulch
Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to reduce weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool in summer. Leave a 10cm gap between the stem and the mulch to prevent stem rot. Before applying mulch, clear the area of weeds and water if it hasn't rained recently. Use biodegradable material such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or bark chippings as mulch.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
More Rheum
Rheum 'Ace of Hearts'
Ornamental rhubarb
Rheum alexandrae
Ornamental rhubarb, Alexander rhubard
Rheum australe
Ornamental rhubarb, Himalayan rhubarb, Red veined pie plant
Rheum officinale
Chinese rhubarb, Medicinal rhubarb
Rheum palmatum
Sorrel rhubarb, Turkey rhubarb, Chinese rhubarb
Rheum palmatum 'Atrosanguineum'
Ornamental rhubarb, Sorrel rhubarb, Turkey rhubarb, Chinese rhubarb
Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum
Sorrel rhubarb, Turkey rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum 'Apple Delight'
Cooking rhubarb