What Are Rhubarb Plant Varieties?
Understanding rhubarb plant varieties means delving into the diverse world of cultivars developed for specific traits, from stalk colour and flavour to disease resistance and yield. While the common garden rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is the most familiar, countless variations exist, each offering a slightly different experience for growers. Selecting a variety tailored to your preferences and growing conditions can significantly enhance your gardening success and culinary enjoyment.
- Cultivars are specifically bred for desirable traits.
- Variety choice impacts flavour, colour, and productivity.
- Understanding types helps match plants to your garden.
The culinary rhubarb we commonly grow for its tart stalks is quite distinct from ornamental varieties, which are prized for their dramatic foliage rather than their edible produce. For the purpose of cultivation and consumption, focusing on Rheum rhabarbarum cultivars is where most gardeners begin. These plants, often mistaken for fruit due to their usage in desserts, are botanically vegetables, with their leaf blades being poisonous and only the fleshy stalks being edible.
Understanding Rhubarb's Appeal
Rhubarb's enduring popularity stems from its distinctively tart flavour, which balances beautifully with sugar in pies, crumbles, and jams. It’s one of the first crops to be harvested in spring, offering a welcome taste of freshness after winter. The visual appeal of its large, architectural leaves and vibrant stalks also makes it an attractive addition to many garden settings. Different varieties offer a spectrum of these qualities, from intensely crimson stalks to pale green, and from deeply sour to mildly acidic.
Why Different Rhubarb Varieties Matter
The reason so many rhubarb plant varieties exist is to cater to a range of gardening environments and culinary preferences. Some cultivars are known for producing early, abundant crops, making them ideal for those eager for the first taste of the season. Others might offer superior disease resistance, a crucial factor for gardeners facing specific local challenges. Flavour profiles also vary significantly; some are intensely sharp, perfect for baking where sugar can temper the acidity, while others are milder and sweeter, sometimes even suitable for eating raw in small quantities or for delicate preserves.
Consider the stalk colour as a primary differentiator. Varieties range from deep crimson reds, often associated with a sweeter flavour, to pale green or speckled stalks that can be more intensely tart. This visual cue is not just for aesthetics; it often indicates the flavour intensity. For example, 'Victoria' is a classic green-stalked variety known for its robust flavour, while 'Raspberry Red' or 'Glaskins Perpetual' are famous for their vibrant red hues and sometimes a fruitier undertone.
Furthermore, some varieties are more cold-hardy than others, essential for gardeners in cooler climates. Conversely, some perform better in milder regions. The vigour and lifespan of a plant can also differ. A well-chosen variety will not only survive but thrive in your specific soil conditions, light exposure, and climate, providing a reliable source of stalks year after year. Growing rhubarb is a long-term commitment, so selecting a variety that matches your local conditions from the outset is vital.
The subtle differences between rhubarb plant varieties can transform your culinary creations and gardening experience.
Your choice of rhubarb plant variety directly influences the effort required for successful cultivation and the quality of the harvest. A variety prone to fungal diseases will demand more attention in damp conditions, whereas a vigorous, disease-resistant type might offer a more 'set it and forget it' approach. Similarly, if you're aiming for a specific dessert, like a very tart pie filling or a delicately sweet compote, the inherent flavour of the chosen cultivar will play a substantial role.
Exploring Popular Rhubarb Cultivars
When you begin searching for rhubarb plant varieties, you'll encounter a selection of well-established cultivars, each with its own reputation. Understanding these common types is a good starting point for any gardener.
Crimson-Coloured Varieties
These are often favoured for their striking appearance and perceived sweetness. Varieties like 'Raspberry Red', 'Ruby Red', or 'Valentine' typically produce deep red stalks. 'Valentine' is particularly noted for its vigorous growth and good flavour, often recommended for its reliability and attractive colour. 'Raspberry Red' lives up to its name with rich colour and a flavour that some describe as having faint berry notes.
Green-Coloured Varieties
Don't be fooled by the colour; green-stalked rhubarb varieties can be incredibly productive and possess a wonderfully sharp, traditional rhubarb flavour. 'Victoria' is a prime example, a very old and resilient variety that forms a large, productive plant. Its stalks are predominantly green, sometimes with a blush of red. Another is 'Queen Victoria', often used interchangeably, known for its tartness and reliability.
Dual-Coloured & Other Notable Types
Some varieties offer a mix of red and green, or are known for specific characteristics. 'Glaskins Perpetual' is often cited for its ability to crop for a longer period, sometimes throughout the summer if managed correctly, and produces well-coloured stalks. 'Timperley Early' is a variety specifically bred for early cropping, pushing out stalks sooner than many others, which can be advantageous in cooler climates. For those interested in ornamental types, while not for eating, varieties like Rheum palmatum offer dramatic, large foliage and impressive flower spikes.
Plant rhubarb crowns in well-drained soil, aiming for a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight daily, and give them ample space to grow.
A Comparative Overview of Common Rhubarb Types
| Variety Name | Typical Stalk Colour | Flavour Profile | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Green (often with red blush) | Sharp, traditional | Very hardy, reliable, large plant |
| Raspberry Red | Deep Red | Tart with faint fruity notes | Good colour, productive |
| Valentine | Bright Red | Tart, slightly sweeter than green | Vigorous, early cropping potential |
| Glaskins Perpetual | Reddish-Green | Moderately tart | Extended cropping season |
| Timperley Early | Reddish | Sharp | Specifically bred for early harvest |
Choosing the Right Rhubarb Plant Variety for You
Selecting the ideal rhubarb plant variety involves considering several factors specific to your garden and your palate. Firstly, think about your climate. Are you in a region with harsh winters, or a milder, temperate area? Some varieties are more forgiving of cold, while others might bolt or struggle in extreme heat. Always research a cultivar’s hardiness rating if available for your zone.
Consider Your Taste Preferences
Do you prefer a intensely sharp rhubarb that needs plenty of sugar to balance in a crumble, or a milder, more forgiving flavour that might even be used in a more delicate dessert? If you're baking, a classic tart variety like 'Victoria' is excellent. For jams where you might want a deeper colour and a slightly fruitier note, a red variety such as 'Raspberry Red' could be a better choice.
Assess Your Growing Conditions
Sunlight and soil are critical. Most rhubarb varieties thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, although this might reduce their yield. They require well-drained, fertile soil. If your garden is prone to waterlogging, you must amend the soil heavily or consider raised beds, regardless of the variety. Disease resistance is another factor; if you've had issues with fungal diseases like leaf spot in your garden, opting for a variety known for its resilience can save you a lot of trouble.
Space is also a consideration. Rhubarb plants grow large, often reaching up to a metre in diameter. Ensure you select a variety and plant it where it has room to spread without overcrowding other plants, and where it won't obstruct pathways. A well-placed rhubarb plant can be a striking feature, but its size should not be underestimated.
When to Harvest and What to Expect
Different varieties can have slightly different harvesting windows. 'Timperley Early' is designed to give you a harvest sooner in the spring. 'Glaskins Perpetual' may offer stalks for a longer period. However, a general rule for all edible rhubarb is to avoid harvesting in the first year after planting, and to only take about half of the stalks in the second year, allowing the plant to establish a strong root system. This patience ensures a productive plant for many years to come. Remember, the leaves are poisonous and should never be consumed.
Establish your rhubarb in its permanent position; they dislike being moved once established, so choose wisely from the outset.
By weighing up these aspects – climate, taste, growing space, and desired harvest timing – you can confidently select a rhubarb plant variety that promises a bountiful and delicious harvest for years to come. It's about matching the plant's inherent qualities to your specific gardening opportunities and culinary ambitions.
Beyond Culinary Rhubarb: Ornamental Varieties
While the focus for most gardeners is on edible rhubarb plant varieties, it's worth noting that the Rheum genus also includes stunning ornamental species. These plants are grown purely for their dramatic foliage and impressive stature, rather than for their stalks. If you're looking to add architectural interest to a border, or create a bold statement plant, ornamental rhubarb offers spectacular options.
Rheum Palmatum (Turkey Rhubarb)
This is perhaps the most well-known ornamental species. Rheum palmatum, often called Turkey Rhubarb or Ornamental Rhubarb, is native to Tibet, China, and Mongolia. It forms large, deeply lobed leaves that can resemble those of a maple or a palm, hence its name. The foliage can be a striking deep green, sometimes with reddish tones, and the plant sends up tall, dramatic flower spikes in shades of red or pink, often in late spring or early summer.
The sheer size of Rheum palmatum is impressive, with plants often reaching heights of 1.5 to 2 metres, and a similar spread. It prefers a sunny or partly shaded position and well-drained soil, much like its edible cousins, but its primary appeal is visual. While historically, the roots of some Rheum species have been used medicinally (particularly in traditional Chinese medicine), the plant is not typically cultivated for culinary use and is considered more of an ornamental specimen.
Other Ornamental Species
Beyond Rheum palmatum, other species like Rheum alexandrae (often called 'Lily-leaf Rhubarb') feature large, hooded, creamy-white bracts that surround the flower stems, giving a unique, almost alien appearance. These are less common but highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of unusual plants. The genus contains many species, and while not all are readily available, they all share a certain grandeur and structural presence that makes them stand out in the landscape.
When considering ornamental rhubarb plant varieties, remember that they are substantial plants. They require adequate space to develop their full architectural impact and should be planted where their size and form can be appreciated. They are excellent for creating a focal point or for mass planting to achieve a bold, dramatic effect in larger gardens.
Ornamental rhubarb varieties offer a bold aesthetic, transforming garden landscapes with their dramatic foliage and stature.
While edible rhubarb varieties focus on producing delicious, tart stalks for the kitchen, ornamental types provide a different kind of bounty: visual splendour. They are a testament to the diversity within the Rheum genus, showcasing that rhubarb's appeal extends far beyond the pie plate.