Rhubarb

From LoveToKnow Garden

Rhubarb (Rheum) - Herbaceous plants of great vigour and picturesque aspect, and their fine leaves are well seen by the margins of shrubberies and in places where luxuriant vegetation is desired. They like deep and rich soil. R. Emodi is a fine-leaved plant, for groups in the pleasure ground, but requiring good soil. It grows about 5 feet high, and is imposing with its wrinkled leaves and large red veins. R. officinale, however, as regards foliage, is the most effective from early in the year, and should be placed near the shrubbery, on the turf, or in the wild garden. In small glades with rich soil a bold effect might be produced by a good selection of Rhubarbs with Ferulas, Heracleums, Rhubarbs, Acanthuses, Yuccas, the common Artichoke, Gunnera scabra, and other vigorous hardy plants. R. palmatum is a slow-growing plant, and smaller than its variety, R. p. tanguticum, which increases rapidly, has fine foliage, and will be welcome to those who grow the other hardy species. R. nobile is distinct, forming a dense pyramid of foliage. It is, however, one of the most difficult to cultivate, and in Europe has succeeded only in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. The garden Rhubarbs worth growing are R. australe, R. compactum, R. rugosum, R. hybridum, Victoria Rhubarb (with very large leaves and long red stalks), Myatts Linnaeus, Prince Albert, and Scotts Monarch.