Rhubarb - Victoria

Name: Rhubarb - Victoria
Brand: Alliance of Native Seedkeepers
SKU: RH1
Price: 2.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Classic garden rhubarb with bright red stalks and tart-sweet flavor perfect for pies, jams, and sauces.

Alliance of Native Seedkeepers | SKU: RH1

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1-Year Warranty Details

Non-GMO / BE Policy Details

— seeds / pkt

Description

Discover the robust charm of 'Victoria' Rhubarb, a classic cultivar renowned for its vigorous growth and reliability. This perennial favorite forms lush, green foliage and vibrant, crimson stalks that can reach up to 24 inches in length. Known for its tart, tangy flavor, 'Victoria' is a staple for both sweet and savory dishes, thriving in climates with cool, moist conditions.

Typically ready for harvest in its second year, 'Victoria' offers a generous yield, ensuring a steady supply of stalks from spring through early summer. The bright red stalks transition to a softer pink hue, adding visual appeal to your garden and kitchen alike. Its crisp texture and balanced acidity make it ideal for pies, jams, and sauces.

With a robust growth habit, 'Victoria' Rhubarb is a resilient addition to your garden, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Plant in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter to ensure optimal growth. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a culinary enthusiast, 'Victoria' Rhubarb promises a delightful harvest season after season.

$2⁰⁰ USD

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Minimum Seed Count

Life Cycle

Perennial

Scientific Name

Rheum rhabarbarum var. rhabarbarum

Maturity

365+ Days (from transplant)

Grow Location

In-ground bed, Raised bed, Greenhouse, High Tunnel, Community garden, Containers

Non-GMO Safe Seed Pledge

Free shipping on $25+ orders.

Rhubarb 'Victoria', the regal stalk of the garden, finds its roots in the fertile soils of 19th-century England. Named after the iconic Queen Victoria, this cultivar of Rheum × hybridum was bred for its robust growth and tender stalks, offering a sweeter taste compared to its more tart ancestors. The name 'Victoria' not only honors the monarch but also symbolizes the plant's status as a staple in British horticulture and cuisine, much like the queen's enduring influence on the era.For generations, rhubarb has been cherished in British households, not only for its culinary versatility but also for its medicinal properties. Cooks would transform the vibrant red stalks into pies, jams, and crumbles, often pairing them with strawberries to balance the tartness with sweetness. In Victorian times, rhubarb was a popular ingredient in desserts served at afternoon teas and garden parties, reflecting the social customs of the period. Beyond the kitchen, rhubarb's astringent qualities were utilized in traditional medicine to aid digestion and alleviate liver ailments, a practice that dates back to its origins in ancient China.While it flourished in English gardens, the wider world came to appreciate Rhubarb 'Victoria' in the late 1800s, as it was introduced to North America and Europe by enthusiastic gardeners and agriculturalists. Its adaptability to cooler climates and resistance to pests made it a favorite among farmers, and by the early 20th century, it had become a common sight in vegetable patches across the Western world. This expansion was fueled by the rhubarb craze of the early 1900s, when forced rhubarb, grown in darkness to produce tender, pale stalks, became a delicacy in urban markets.Rhubarb 'Victoria' also holds a unique place in botanical history. Genetic studies have shown it to be a complex hybrid, primarily derived from Rheum rhabarbarum and Rheum rhaponticum, species native to the cold, mountainous regions of Siberia and Tibet. This hybridization has endowed it with a distinctive flavor and growth habit, setting it apart from its wild relatives and contributing to its enduring popularity.Although other cultivars have since emerged, offering variations in color and taste, Rhubarb 'Victoria' remains the quintessential choice for gardeners and chefs alike. It is the rhubarb that first captured the hearts of Victorian England and continues to grace tables and gardens with its vibrant presence.Yet in its homeland, Rhubarb 'Victoria' is more than a garden favorite or culinary delight. It is a cultural emblem, deeply intertwined with the traditions and innovations of the Victorian era, a living testament to the era's passion for horticulture and gastronomy. To cultivate Rhubarb 'Victoria' today is to engage in a narrative that bridges historical gardens and modern kitchens, honoring both the pioneering breeders who refined its traits and the contemporary enthusiasts who celebrate its legacy.

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Our seeds are grown and sourced from the US. They're then packed and shipped from Colerain NC.

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