Description
Rheum rhabarbarum (R. undulatum, R. hybridum, R. cultorum) | Garden Rhubarb ‘Chipmans Canada Red’
Garden Rhubarb, also known as Wavy-leaved Rhubarb, and Pie-plant, is a popular cold-hardy perennial with extra-large, smooth, heart-shaped leaves and sweet and tart red edible stalks. In early spring each year, new leaves emerge from crown buds when temperatures begin to exceed 40ºF. The thick, succulent red leafstalks grow up to 18 inches long and 1-2 inches in diameter.
The ‘Chipmans Canada Red’ Rhubarb variety is known for its vibrant red, fleshy stems that retain their color when cooked, making them excellent for pies and preserves, needing less sugar. It’s one of the sweetest garden rhubarb varieties on the market, and often produces shorter, more slender, less fibrous stalks than other varieties. Produces fewer flower stems, too.
It’s a reliable, low-maintenance vegetable that produces abundantly and seldom bolts, thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. It has good vigor, is very undemanding, and is adapted to cold regions with high frost tolerance. As an herbaceous perennial, the plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. ‘Chipmans Canada Red’ provides heavy harvests, making it valuable for edible landscaping as well as adding vertical interest when it flowers.
Plant directly outdoors in soil after the last frost. For indoors, seeds germinate with heat, humidity, and light. Soaking them in water for a few hours first may help, but generally is not necessary.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature plant height: 30 inches
Mature flower height: 5 ft
Mature width: 3 ft
Hardiness zones: 3-9
