Overview
Rheum is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Rheum, part of the Polygonaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Rheum grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include architectural, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds. It is native to Afghanistan, Altay, Amur, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Lebanon-Syria, Magadan, Manchuria, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Primorye, Qinghai, Saudi Arabia, South European Russia, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Xinjiang and Yakutiya.
About
Rheum, commonly known as rhubarb, is a bushy cultivar of the Rheum genus, which comprises sturdy herbaceous perennials growing from rhizomes. This cultivar features deciduous foliage and thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil with an acid to neutral pH. Suitable for full sun or partial shade and various garden aspects, it is hardy to UK zone H6. Its tall stems bear large clusters of small flowers, making it an architectural addition to cottage, informal, wildlife, and flower border gardens during spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Rheum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Rheum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Altay, Amur, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Lebanon-Syria, Magadan, Manchuria, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Primorye, Qinghai, Saudi Arabia, South European Russia, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Xinjiang, Yakutiya
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Rheum
- Propagation
- Division in Spring
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus, Downy mildews, Grey mould, Crown rot, Virus diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Rheum?
Rheum prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Rheum need?
Rheum grows best in loam soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Rheum hardy in the UK?
Rheum has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Rheum?
Division in Spring.
More in the Rheum genus
- Rheum nobileSikkim rhubarb
- Rheum webbianumSmall Himalayan rhubarb
- Rheum x hybridum 'Poulton's Pride'rhubarb 'Poulton's Pride'
