Rheum x hybridum Valentine (Rhubarb)

Rheum x hybridum 'Valentine' (Rhubarb) is a clump-forming perennial vegetable grown primarily for its edible leaf stalks which are used most often in sauces, jams, or pies. The plant develops from a short crown, producing thick, angular stems and enormous, smooth, heart-shaped leaves that retain their green color throughout the season. In summer, bold spikes of white flowers rise above the foliage. 'Valentine' produces long, deep red stalks that retain a good rosy color when cooked. It is much less acid than other cultivars and produces few or no seed stalks. Vigorous, it is an early bearer that is cold and heat-tolerant.