Chinese rhubarb, Rheum palmatum is an ornamental rhubarb, perfect for growing in a bog garden or at the edge of a pond, where it needs plenty of space to spread.
It has large, lobed leaves up to 75cm long, from which tall flowering stems bearing huge panicles of pink or white flowers, emerge in early summer.
Grow Rheum palmatum in humus-rich, acid to neutral, moist soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut down flowering stems after blooming and mulch annually to conserve moisture.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
Prune
yes
Rheum and wildlife
Rheum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
