Victoria
Polygonaceae
Rhubarb
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Victoria rhubarb was introduced in 1837 to honor Queen Victoria's coronation. It is the most widely grown rhubarb worldwide — reliable, productive, and cold-hardy. Rhubarb originated in Asia and was used medicinally for thousands of years before becoming a food crop.
Rhubarb is essentially a PNW native at this point — it thrives everywhere in our climate. Victoria is the classic green-stemmed variety with red blush. For deep red stalks, try Crimson Cherry or MacDonald. Rhubarb is one of those plants that grows at abandoned farmhouses for decades — plant it once and it is a permanent garden feature. The first harvest in April is a rite of spring.
Plant crowns in early spring (March) or fall. Rhubarb is a long-lived perennial (10-15+ years). Choose a permanent spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. Dig a large hole, work in lots of compost, and plant with the crown bud 1-2" below soil surface. Space 3-4 ft apart (rhubarb gets BIG). Water deeply during dry spells. Do NOT harvest the first year. Second year: harvest a few stalks. Third year+: harvest freely from April through June. Pull stalks (twist and pull, never cut) — cutting leaves a stub that rots. Stop harvesting by July to let the plant rebuild. Remove flower stalks promptly — they sap energy. Divide every 5-7 years.