Rheum 'Ace of Hearts'

RHS Plant Profile

rhubarb 'Ace of Hearts'

RHS

Synonyms

Rheum × hybridum 'Ace Of Hearts'
Rheum 'Ace of Spades'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An ornamental rhubarb; a hybrid between the giant R. palmatum and the more diminutive R. kialense making it well-suited to smaller gardens. Leaves are heart-shaped and veined red on the underside. Pale pink flower spikes rise from the clumps in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Polygonaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Rheum are robust rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large, simple or palmately lobed leaves and tall leafy stems bearing large panicles of tiny flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a moisture-retentive but well-draining situation in sun or partial shade. Benefits from mulching

Propagation

Propagate by division in Spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free