List of rhubarb cultivars facts for kids

Have you ever eaten something super tart, but also a little sweet, that looks like a red or green stalk? You might have tried rhubarb! Rhubarb is a plant often used in pies, crumbles, and sauces. It's known for its unique flavor and colorful stalks.

When we talk about 'cultivars' of rhubarb, we mean special types of rhubarb that people have grown for certain features. Think of it like different breeds of dogs – they're all dogs, but they have different looks and traits. Each rhubarb cultivar has its own special qualities, like how red its stalks are, how sweet or tart it tastes, or how early it's ready to pick. The official name for these special rhubarb types is Rheum × hybridum followed by the cultivar's name in single quotes, like 'Canada Red'.

Exploring Different Rhubarb Cultivars

Here are some of the many interesting types of rhubarb you might find:

'Alberger' Rhubarb

This type of rhubarb has a flat, round shape and a short neck. Its inside is a pale yellow, with a reddish top. 'Alberger' rhubarb is ready to harvest early in the season.

'Canada Red' Rhubarb

'Canada Red' is a very popular type of rhubarb. It was first grown in Canada. Its red stalks are short and thin, but they are very tender and tasty.

'Cherry Red' Rhubarb

This cultivar has very large stalks. It has a tart taste and a beautiful cherry red color.

'Chipman's Canadian Red' Rhubarb

'Chipman's Canadian Red' is sweeter than many other rhubarb types. It also gives a lot of rhubarb each time it's harvested. Its bright red color stays strong, even after you cook it.

'Crimson Red' Rhubarb

This is one of the most flavorful rhubarb cultivars. It grows tall stalks and produces a lot of rhubarb reliably.

'Glaskin's Perpetual' Rhubarb

'Glaskin's Perpetual' rhubarb is bright red. You can start harvesting it in the very first year after you plant the seeds.

'Grandad's Favorite' Rhubarb

This cultivar produces a lot of rhubarb with thick, fairly sweet stalks. It is one of the "first early" types, meaning it grows quickly at the start of the season.

'Honeyred' Rhubarb

'Honeyred' has firm, crisp stalks with a mild, sweet flavor. It has a deep red color. This type can get a disease called crown rot if the soil is too wet. However, it doesn't often grow unwanted seed stalks.

'Jersey' Rhubarb

This rhubarb has good color and grows straight up. Its flavor is fine and sweet.

'Large Victoria' Rhubarb

Like some other types, 'Large Victoria' can be harvested in its first year after planting.

'Macdonald' Rhubarb

'Macdonald' rhubarb is tender and has a bright red color. It is known for its excellent flavor.

'Reed's Early Superb' Rhubarb

This cultivar has medium to thick stalks that are long, straight, tender, and juicy. The color changes from bright red at the bottom to dark green at the top.

'Ruby' Rhubarb

'Ruby' rhubarb has a rich ruby red color and many stalks. It is moderately tart. This type can sometimes grow many seed stalks and is prone to a disease called red leaf disease.

'Stein's Champagne' Rhubarb

The stalks of 'Stein's Champagne' rhubarb are a very bold, bright red color along their entire length.

'Sunrise (Early Sunrise)' Rhubarb

This type is large and has very thick stalks. It grows seed stalks very quickly. It also has a nice red color.

'Timperley Early' Rhubarb

'Timperley Early' produces a lot of rhubarb and is another "first early" type. Its stalks are thick. They are deep red at the bottom and become light green with red spots towards the top.

'Valentine' Rhubarb

'Valentine' rhubarb has a brilliant red color and wide stalks. It is very flavorful and does not grow seed stalks. This type is also good for freezing to use later.

'Victoria' Rhubarb

'Victoria' is a "late forcing" cultivar, which means it grows well when forced indoors later in the season. It has big, green stalks.

'Waltham Yellow' Rhubarb

This cultivar is unique because it has green "shoulders" or bases where the stalks meet the plant.