Perennial. Delicious tart stalks for culinary delights.

Planting rhubarb in my garden has been a rewarding choice for several reasons. This hardy perennial not only offers delicious, tart stalks for culinary delights but also adds ornamental value with large, vibrant leaves. Rhubarb thrives in various climates and is relatively low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. With proper care, it provides a bountiful harvest for pies, crisps, jams, cakes and sauces. Beyond its culinary uses, rhubarb acts as a robust, long-lived garden companion, enhancing the visual appeal of your landscape while contributing to the overall productivity and diversity of your edible garden.

Hardiness zones

Rhubarb is generally hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.

Steps for thriving Rhubarb plants

1. Site selection
   • Sunlight: Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
   • Well-Drained Soil: Rhubarb prefers well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
2. Planting
   • Planting Time: Best planted in early spring or fall.
   • Crown Depth: Plant rhubarb crowns with the buds 2 inches below the soil surface.
3. Spacing
   • Crowns: Space rhubarb crowns 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for their spreading nature.
4. Watering
   • Consistent moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
   • Avoid waterlogging: Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogged soil.
5. Mulching
   • Apply mulch: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
6. Fertilizing
   • Spring application: Fertilize with well-rotted manure or compost in early spring.
7. Harvesting
   • First year: Avoid harvesting in the first year to allow the plant to establish.
   • Subsequent years: Harvest stalks in the second year and thereafter. Harvest by pulling or cutting, leaving a portion of stalks to support plant health.
8. Dividing
   • Every 4-5 years: Divide rhubarb every 4-5 years to rejuvenate the plant. Do this in early spring or fall.
9. Disease and Pest management
   • Monitor regularly: Watch for pests like aphids and diseases like crown rot. Apply appropriate measures if necessary.
10. Winter Care
    • Cut Back: Remove dead foliage in fall, and add a layer of mulch for winter protection.

By following these steps and providing proper care, you can ensure that your rhubarb plants thrive and produce abundant, healthy stalks for your culinary endeavors. Adjust care based on your local growing conditions and the specific variety of rhubarb you are cultivating.

Rhubarb varieties for northern gardens

Several rhubarb varieties are well-suited for northern gardens, offering hardiness and reliable performance. Here are some popular rhubarb varieties that thrive in colder climates:

1. Victoria Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Victoria’)
   • Classic heirloom variety with large, green stalks and red blush. Known for its robust flavor.
2. Canada Red Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Canada Red’)
   • Deep red stalks with a sweet flavor. Maintains color when cooked, adding visual appeal to dishes.
3. German Wine Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘German Wine’)
   • Red-green stalks with a rich, wine-like flavor. Stalks are thicker than some other varieties.
4. Crimson Red Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Crimson Red’)
   • Early-producing variety with vibrant red stalks and a tangy taste. Resistant to bolting.
5. Glaskins Perpetual Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Glaskins Perpetual’)
   • Continuous harvest throughout the season. Greenish-pink stalks with a pleasantly mild flavor.
6. Valentine Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Valentine’)
   • Early-season variety with bright red stalks. Known for its sweet taste and tenderness.
7. Chipman’s Canada Red Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Chipman’s Canada Red’)
   • Cold-hardy variety with deep red stalks. Sweet flavor, suitable for both culinary and ornamental use.
8. Holstein Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Holstein’)
   • Heirloom variety with greenish-red stalks. Has a classic tart rhubarb flavor.
9. Timperley Early Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘Timperley Early’)
   • Early-harvest variety with greenish-pink stalks. Known for its tender and flavorful stems.
10. MacDonald Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum ‘MacDonald’)
    • Vigorous and cold-hardy variety with green stalks. Offers a balanced tart flavor.

Buying Rhubarb online

When selecting a rhubarb variety for your northern garden, consider factors such as taste preferences, color, and the specific conditions of your garden. Each variety has its unique characteristics, but all can bring delicious, homegrown rhubarb to your table.

1. Burpee
2. Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co.
3. Johnny’s Selected Seeds
4. Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co.
5. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
6. Nature Hills Nursery
7. Greenwood Nursery
8. Territorial Seed

Before making a purchase, be sure to check customer reviews, shipping policies, and guarantees provided by the online nursery. Additionally, verify that the rhubarb variety you want is suitable for your growing zone and conditions. Always choose reputable sources to ensure the health and viability of your plants.

Rhubarb in literature and history

Rhubarb has a surprisingly dramatic history that predates its culinary use by centuries.

In ancient Chinese and Tibetan texts, rhubarb root appears as a powerful medicinal plant traded along the Silk Road as early as 2700 BCE. It was more valuable than opium or saffron in medieval European markets and was used to purge illness from the body.

In the 18th century, rhubarb became a subject of geopolitical tension. Russia controlled the trade routes for medicinal rhubarb from China, and England was so dependent on it that the threat of cutting off supply was used as a political weapon. Historian Clifford Foust wrote the definitive account in Rhubarb: The Wondrous Drug (1992), which reads almost like a thriller. Rhubarb did not become a food plant in the West until sugar became affordable in the early 1800s. Before that, its extreme tartness made it inedible as a fruit. The shift from medicine to pie filling is one of the more unusual transitions in culinary history.

Barbara Kingsolver references rhubarb in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (2007) as part of her family’s seasonal eating year, capturing the way rhubarb signals the first true arrival of spring in northern gardens, a feeling deeply familiar to Minnesota gardeners.

Updated and republished since November 14, 2023.

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