Victoria Rhubarb (Rheum x hybridum) is a popular and reliable variety of rhubarb known for its bright red stalks and tangy flavor. This perennial vegetable is prized in both culinary and ornamental gardens, offering a unique, tart addition to pies, jams, sauces, and a variety of other recipes. Victoria Rhubarb thrives in cooler climates and produces large, thick, crimson-red stalks that can be harvested in late spring to early summer. While it requires a bit of patience, as it typically takes a few years to mature, once established, Victoria Rhubarb can produce a bountiful harvest for many years. The plant’s large, heart-shaped leaves add a dramatic flair to garden beds and edible landscapes, while the stalks provide a versatile ingredient for many delicious dishes.

Key Features:

• Edible Stalks: Victoria Rhubarb is grown primarily for its flavorful, tart red stalks. The stems can be used in baking, sauces, jams, and beverages. They pair wonderfully with sweet fruits like strawberries for classic desserts.
• Cold-Hardy: This rhubarb variety is known for being hardy in cooler climates, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8. It can withstand frost and cold temperatures, making it suitable for gardens in northern regions with cold winters.
• Long-Lived Perennial: Rhubarb is a perennial plant, meaning once it’s established, it will return year after year, providing a consistent harvest of stalks for many seasons.
• Early Harvest: While it can take a couple of years for seeds to mature into full-grown plants, once established, Victoria Rhubarb is known for being one of the earliest rhubarb varieties to be ready for harvest, producing tender stalks in early spring to early summer.
• Ornamental Value: In addition to its edibility, Victoria Rhubarb has attractive, large green leaves with red veins that create a bold focal point in the garden, making it an excellent choice for edible landscaping.

Growing Information:

Light: Victoria Rhubarb requires full sun to partial shade. It thrives best in a location where it will receive at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. However, in warmer climates, it may benefit from some afternoon shade to prevent the plant from becoming stressed in the heat of summer.

Soil: Rhubarb prefers fertile, well-draining, and slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–6.8). It thrives in rich, loamy soil with plenty of organic matter to provide nutrients and improve drainage. Amending your soil with compost or well-rotted manure will ensure your rhubarb gets off to a healthy start.

Planting Tips:

• Soak rhubarb seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting to help speed up germination.
• Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed trays or directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Ensure good spacing between seeds or seedlings, as rhubarb plants need plenty of room to grow. Typically, space plants 3–4 feet apart to allow for their large size.
• If planting outdoors, choose a well-draining area that receives full sun or partial shade. Make sure the soil is rich in organic matter to encourage healthy growth.
• Rhubarb typically takes 2–3 years to fully mature and produce a harvestable crop, so patience is key.

Watering: Rhubarb needs consistently moist soil, especially during the growing season, to thrive. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, rhubarb is somewhat drought-tolerant but will perform best with consistent moisture. Avoid watering the leaves to prevent disease; focus on watering the base of the plant.

Benefits:

• Edible Stalks for Culinary Uses: The primary benefit of Victoria Rhubarb is its deliciously tart, bright red stalks, which can be used in a variety of recipes. Rhubarb is a favorite ingredient for pies, jams, jellies, sauces, and even savory dishes.
• Nutritional Value: Rhubarb is low in calories and high in dietary fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants. It's a great addition to a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
• Cold-Hardy and Reliable: With its ability to thrive in cooler climates, Victoria Rhubarb is perfect for gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8. It’s a great choice for early spring harvests and can tolerate frost, providing a reliable early-season crop.
• Long-Term Investment: As a perennial plant, rhubarb will continue to produce year after year once it’s established, offering a long-term harvest with minimal upkeep.
• Attractive Garden Plant: Rhubarb is also an ornamental plant with its bold, large leaves and vibrant red stalks. It adds texture, color, and interest to the garden, especially in edible landscapes.

Growing Zones: Victoria Rhubarb is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8, making it a versatile choice for gardeners in temperate climates. It is well-suited for regions with cold winters, as it can tolerate frost and cold temperatures, making it a reliable perennial that returns each spring.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Edible Landscape: Victoria Rhubarb is perfect for an edible landscape or garden. Its large leaves and striking red stalks provide visual interest while also yielding delicious fruit that can be used in a variety of culinary applications.
• Home Orchard or Garden: If you’re creating a vegetable or fruit garden, rhubarb is a great choice to include for its early-season harvest and unique flavor. It pairs well with other fruits, such as strawberries, and can be used to make classic rhubarb-strawberry jam or pies.
• Culinary Herb Garden: While not technically an herb, rhubarb fits perfectly into a culinary herb garden for easy access to fresh stalks that can be harvested and used in recipes all season long.
• Companion Planting: Rhubarb can be grown alongside other hardy, cool-weather plants. However, avoid planting it too close to plants that require a lot of space or may compete with rhubarb for nutrients, such as corn or beans.

Conclusion: Victoria Rhubarb (Rheum x hybridum) is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for an early-season harvest of tart, nutritious fruit. This perennial plant is hardy in a variety of climates and will provide a bountiful crop of red stalks each year once it’s established. Victoria Rhubarb is ideal for culinary gardens, edible landscapes, and home orchards, offering delicious fruit for pies, jams, sauces, and more. With its attractive leaves and bold presence in the garden, rhubarb also doubles as an ornamental plant, enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space. For a reliable and productive addition to your garden, Victoria Rhubarb is a wonderful, long-term investment.