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Herbaceous Perennial

Rheum palmatum 'Rubrum'

rhubarb 'Rubrum'

A clump-forming perennial with scarlet new foliage, followed by large, purple-green lobed leaves up to 75cm long and panicles of deep red flowers that rise on 2m long stems in early summer, this ornamental rhubarb is an architectural plant that demands space

Synonyms

Rheum palmatum 'Flore Rubro'

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Polygonaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Rheum are robust rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large, simple or palmately lobed leaves and tall leafy stems bearing large panicles of tiny flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Requires a fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Mulch in winter to help retain moisture

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in Spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Wildlife gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead spikes after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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