Jessie Keith
Family
Polygonaceae
Botanical Name
Rheum x hybridum
Plant Common Name
Hybrid Garden Rhubarb, Rhubarb
General Description
Hybrid garden rhubarb is a large, vigorous, clumping perennial. Its complicated parentage includes species of Rheum that are native from eastern Europe to China. It is grown in the ornamental garden for its huge crinkly leaves on tall reddish stems and for its dense frothy clusters of small white flowers on tall thick stalks. In the vegetable garden it is grown for its tart, somewhat sweet leaf stalks. Only the leaf stalks are edible. All other parts of the plant are highly toxic.
Rhubarb grows best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and full or partial sun, but it will grow on clay soil. Harvest the leaf stalks in spring, sparing enough leaves to sustain the plant. If the plant is being grown as an edible, remove flower stalks as they appear. The plant spreads by adding new roots to its often massive central root. It is easily multiplied by dividing the roots, making sure that each division has at least one bud. It is rarely if ever harmed by rabbits. Rhubarb is very difficult to dig out once established because its main roots are thick and deep. Almost any fragment left in the ground will sprout and make a new plant. The plant therefore should be introduced in the perennial garden with caution.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 7
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-5' / 0.6m - 1.5m
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Width
4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Eastern Asia, India, Nepal, China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Ivory
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Fruit Color
Brown, Chocolate
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
