Ornamental Rhubarb / Rheum palmatum

When I called in at the Reader Rock Garden last Wednesday, 7 May 2014, many plants were beginning to push their leaves up through the soil. Not many were actually in flower yet, just a few scattered clusters of the early spring flowers, Hepatica and Squill. Just as I was about to leave, something brilliant red caught my eye. When I walked over to take a look, I realized which plant it was, but at the time couldn't remember the name. Ornamental Rhubarb, also called Chinese Rhubarb, is a very tall plant and quite spectacular. This macro shot shows that it starts off in an eye-catching way, too.

"Chinese rhubarb is a close relative of garden rhubarb (Rheum X hybridum), which is used to make pies. While garden rhubarb is cultivated for its edible, succulent, red stems, Chinese rhubarb is grown purely as an ornamental plant. Its dark red stems and large, textured leaves make a bold statement in the garden, and a well-grown plant can be 6 feet across. Chinese rhubarb blooms in early summer, thrusting skyward a 6-foot spike of red flowers."

www.finegardening.com/plants/qa/ornamental-rhubarb.aspx