Crop type: Rhubarb
Rheum × hybridum ‘Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise’ AGM
Common name: Rhubarb ‘Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise’
Crop slug: rhubarb
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise’ is a vigorous maincrop rhubarb with an RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is distinguished by bright-red stalks, a good balance of sweetness and acidity, and a dependable harvest during May and June. It is also recorded under the synonym Rheum × hybridum ‘Strawberry Surprise’.
This bushy deciduous perennial suits a permanent productive bed. Its combination of conspicuous stem colour, balanced flavour and midseason timing makes it useful where both kitchen quality and an attractive crop are priorities.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.5–1 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 2–5 years
- Habit
- Bushy
- Cropping season
- Maincrop, principally May and June
Space crowns 75–90cm apart so their large leaves can gather light without crowding. Although the recorded mature dimensions are moderate for rhubarb, the vigorous crown still needs a generous long-term position.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, clay, loam or sand improved with organic matter
- Moisture
- Moist but well drained
- Preferred pH
- Acid, alkaline or neutral
Plant in deep, fertile, humus-rich ground that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. Incorporate well-rotted organic matter before planting, then mulch with manure or compost in spring without covering the crown. Water in dry summers to sustain even stalk development and reduce stress.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect
- East-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed or sheltered
- Hardiness
- H5, hardy in most UK sites through severe winters
An open sunny site usually produces the strongest growth and richest stem colour, although light shade is tolerated. Avoid ground prone to winter saturation or late-frost pockets. The dormant crown benefits from winter cold before growth resumes.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Bright-red edible stalks are the cultivar’s defining visual feature. They carry large green leaves through spring and summer, forming a bold rounded clump. The red stems remain a strong contrast beneath the foliage during the May and June harvest period.
Leaves die back naturally in autumn and the crown rests below ground over winter. Spring emergence restores the plant’s architectural foliage. Flower stalks are not a crop feature and should be removed to conserve vigour.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
- Unresolved
- Synonym
- Rheum × hybridum ‘Strawberry Surprise’
Genus
Rheum are robust rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large simple or palmately lobed leaves. Mature plants can produce tall stems with large panicles of small flowers, although culinary crowns are normally prevented from flowering.
Safety
The plant is harmful if eaten except for the cooked leaf stalks. Remove and do not eat the leaf blades. Use gloves and suitable protection when handling if needed, and prevent pets from consuming foliage.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Set the crown with its growing tip just above soil level and leave 75–90cm between plants. Water during dry spells throughout establishment and mulch every spring while keeping the crown exposed. Do not harvest during the first year; take only a few stalks in year two. From year three, pull and twist mature stalks from the base, taking no more than one-third at a time.
Divide established crowns about every five years to maintain their vigour. Remove flowerheads promptly and allow the ordinary leaves to die down naturally in autumn before clearing them away.
Propagation
Propagate true-to-name plants by dividing healthy established crowns in late autumn or early spring. Retain a sound rhizome section and at least one growing point in every division, preferring vigorous outer material to an old woody centre.
Suggested locations
- Productive allotment bed
- Kitchen garden
- Cottage or informal garden
- Low-maintenance edible border
- Large container
Pruning
Harvest sparingly while young. Remove any flowerhead at its base, then let foliage die back naturally in autumn and clear old leaves to expose the buds to winter cold.
Pests
May be susceptible to stem and bulb eelworm, swift moth caterpillar, slugs and snails. Inspect young spring growth and the sheltered space beneath forcing covers.
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus, downy mildew, grey mould, crown rot and virus diseases. Begin with healthy stock and avoid stagnant, waterlogged conditions around the crown.