Rheum palmatum 'Bowles's Crimson'

RHS Plant Profile

rhubarb 'Bowles's Crimson'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

An ornamental rhubarb cultivar with red foliage in spring. In summer these incised leaves are red on the underside, green on top, but may return to redder shades in the autumn. Crimson flowers are borne above the clumps in early summer, reaching a height of 2m

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: 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 moist but well-draining site so benefits from mulching

Propagation

Propagate by division in Spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Wildlife gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free