Rhubarb is making a brilliant comeback. Not only as a fruity fruit, but also as an enchanting ornamental plant. Get to know the best species and noblest varieties here.
What types of rhubarb are there?
Popular rhubarb varieties include raspberry rhubarb 'Frambozen Rood', table rhubarb 'Red Valentine', 'Holsteiner Blut', 'Goliath', 'Rosara' and 'The Sutton'. The crown rhubarb (Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum) is an attractive ornamental plant with striking red flowers.
Discover two favorites among sixty species
If you don't want to search dizzyingly within the densely populated plant genus, concentrate on the following two proven rhubarb types.
- Common rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) as a useful plant for refreshing desserts, sour jams, invigorating juices and other delicacies
- Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) as an enchanting ornamental perennial for every home garden
Rheum palmatum has also made a name for itself in Asia as a natural medicinal plant for a wide variety of ailments. This fact is a little surprising, as all species are poisonous under certain conditions.
Rhubarb varieties that tickle the taste buds
Common rhubarb has proven to be a linchpin for the following red varieties:
- Raspberry rhubarb 'Frambozen Rood', also called rose rhubarb, with fruity aroma and red stems
- Rhubarb 'Red Valentine', a red-fleshed variety from Canada with a sour taste
- Dish rhubarb 'Holsteiner Blut', a classic from Germany with red stems for a versatile culinary use
Popular green rhubarb varieties
Varieties in which the green flesh predominates have, according to experience, a more sour taste than red-fleshed varieties. There are no differences to consider in terms of care.
- Food rhubarb 'Goliath' the green giant variety with a height of up to 90 cm
- Food rhubarb 'Rosara', green flesh in a delicate pink coating
- Dish rhubarb 'The Sutton', a rarity from England half red and half green
A feast for the eyes, this rhubarb variety
Rhubarb varieties that are planted for consumption usually sacrifice their flowers in favor of a higher harvest yield. Not so with the following variety. Its sole purpose is to beautify the garden.
Crown rhubarb – Siberian ornamental rhubarb (Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum): This opulent ornamental perennial stretches up to 200 cm towards the sky. From May to July it enchants with its lavish red flowers. Their seed heads then decorate the garden well into the winter.
Tips & Tricks
Rhubarb thrives particularly well in the immediate vicinity of the compost heap. Simply surround the area with the pretty ornamental variety and in this way transform the usually unsightly brown hill into a decorative eye-catcher.
