Crop type: Rhubarb
Rheum × hybridum ‘Victoria’
Common name: Rhubarb ‘Victoria’
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
‘Victoria’ is an old, reliable and productive late-maincrop rhubarb cultivar. It forms mid-sized green stalks flushed with red and has a robust flavour. The main harvest begins from late May, later than early forcing cultivars, although a vigorous established crown is also suitable for late forcing.
This accepted cultivar develops as a deciduous, bushy perennial. Its dependability suits a permanent allotment position where the crown can mature undisturbed, while its distinctive green-and-red stems provide a useful contrast to uniformly crimson cultivars.
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
- Late maincrop, ready from late May
Allow 75–90cm between crowns so the broad leaves can develop without crowding. Mature clumps remain smaller than some especially vigorous rhubarb cultivars but still need a substantial permanent space.
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
Grow in deep, moisture-retentive, humus-rich ground that never stays waterlogged. Before planting, incorporate well-rotted compost or manure. Mulch with organic matter in spring to conserve moisture and nourish the crown, taking care not to cover its growing point. Water during dry summers so stalk growth remains steady.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect
- East-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed or sheltered
- Hardiness
- H5, hardy through severe winters in most of the UK
‘Victoria’ tolerates a wide choice of sites but crops most strongly in an open position with dependable moisture. Avoid frost pockets where late cold may damage emerging stalks. Winter cold is beneficial because it helps release dormancy and initiate vigorous spring growth.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The cultivar’s edible stalks are green with a red flush rather than solid scarlet. They support large green leaves from spring into autumn, creating a bold architectural clump. Red and green stem colour remains visible through the active growing season. The foliage dies back after autumn frost, leaving the dormant crown until shoots reappear in spring.
Its robust flavour and productive late crop are the principal kitchen qualities. Harvest colour can vary with light and forcing conditions, so cultivar identity should be shown through the characteristic green stalks and restrained red flushing.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Rheum are robust rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with large simple or palmately lobed leaves. Mature plants may send up tall leafy stems carrying broad panicles of small flowers, although flowerheads are removed from culinary rhubarb to preserve the crown’s energy.
Safety
The plant is harmful if eaten except for the cooked leaf stalks. Remove the leaf blade after harvest and do not eat it. Wear gloves and other suitable protection when handling if needed, and prevent pets from consuming the leaves.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Plant a healthy crown with its growth point just above the soil surface, spacing neighbouring plants 75–90cm apart. Water through dry periods during establishment and mulch each spring without burying the crown. Do not harvest in the first year and take only a few stalks in the second. Thereafter, pull and twist stalks from the base once they reach about 30cm, never removing more than one-third at a time.
For late forcing, cover only a strong established plant in winter and remove the cover after the first flush. Do not force the same crown in consecutive years. Divide about every five years to restore vigour.
Propagation
Propagate by division of established crowns in late autumn or early spring. Each section needs a healthy portion of rhizome and at least one sound growing point. Replant vigorous outer sections promptly and discard weak or decayed material.
Suggested locations
- Productive allotment bed
- Kitchen garden
- Cottage or informal garden
- Low-maintenance edible border
- Large container
Pruning
Harvest sparingly while the plant is young and remove flowerheads at their base as soon as they appear. Let foliage die back naturally in autumn, then clear old leaves to expose the growing points to winter cold.
Pests
May be susceptible to stem and bulb eelworm, swift moth caterpillar, slugs and snails. Check tender spring and forced growth regularly and maintain clean, uncrowded crowns.
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus, downy mildew, grey mould, crown rot and virus diseases. Good drainage, healthy propagation stock and prompt removal of decayed tissue reduce avoidable losses.