Rheum palmatum
(Chinese Rhubarb)
Family - Polygonaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - China, Thibet
Year of Introduction - 1763
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 2.5m
Width - 1.2m
Location - The House Border
Description: A clump-forming herbaceous Perennial with exceptionally large, palmately lobed leaves with jagged margins. Leaves are rich, deep purple when young, and gradually turn red then dark green as they expand. Panicles of many, small, white, star-shaped flowers are produced on very tall stems in late spring.
Flower:
Many, small star-shaped, white or pink flowers in panicles are produced on very all, thick stems that tower above the foliage in May. The specimen in the House Border has white flowers.
Flower colour: White or pink
Flower shape: Star-shaped in panicles
Flowering time: May
Foliage:
Very large, palmately lobed foliage with deeply toothed margins emerges deep purple and slowly turns red then dark green as the leaf expands, though the deep red shade is retained on the undersides of the leaves for longer.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Propagation:
Division.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive, but well drained soil.