Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Rheum palmatum 'Hadspen Crimson'

rhubarb 'Hadspen Crimson'

An ornamental rhubarb cultivar whose young leaves are crimson, aging to green; they are large, palmate and incised. Flower spikes in early summer can reach 2m in height

Synonyms
Rheum × hybridum 'Hadspen Crimson'

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red
Summer Cream Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Polygonaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Requires a fertile, moisture-retentive soil, so mulching is beneficial

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.