A Tale of Two Rhubarbs

Nature vs. Nurture? The debate rages on.

You can't kill it.

It'll grow anywhere.

Thrives in shade!

And so, I planted rhubarb.

Unlike in northern parts of the country, rhubarb isn't commonly found here in Maryland. Located at the northern edge of the historic south, Maryland has hot humid summers and a long growing season. With climate change, the heat comes on quicker in the spring and warm weather lingers into November. It's a great growing climate for many crops. Rhubarb, however, is hit or miss.

I've planted 8 of them over the years. I chose a variety that reportedly "tolerates" hot humid seasons like ours. I've planted them in full sun (as recommended by the grower), part shade and full shade.

Here's the score: 2-dead, 2-struggling, 2-thriving and 2-pending further observation

A mixed record, to be sure. And yet, I persist.

Nature vs. Nurture

Rhubarb is an incredibly useful plant in the garden. Beyond it's obvious uses in the kitchen, I often use rhubarb in my garden beds as a key player in my edible landscaping plans. It is deer resistant, throws up robust almost tropical-looking leaves and has gorgeous red/pink stalks that complement surrounding flowers and is perennial in my zone (U.S. Zone 8a).

And for these reasons I keep doubling down and planting more each season. It is beautiful to look at and immensely useful. At least, that's the promise I keep leaning into. When I first started my gardening here, I planted two rhubarbs in a bed. Same soil. Same sun. Same water. Same everything.

In my garden, rhubarb is…. temperamental.

Two rhubarbs. One thriving (left), one sulking (right). There's a certain Shakespearean quality at play: "Two rhubarbs, both alike in dignity, in fair Maryland, where we lay our scene."

I'm in the crosshairs of the age-old question: is it nature or nurture??

As I walk through my garden each spring, the debate rages. It's like I have a little pixie on each shoulder arguing either side. On the nature side, the argument goes something like this:

She's got a bit of an attitude, you know. She's one of those plants that plays coy, acts the part of the low-maintenance girl, plays up her "who me? I just made a pie in my spare moments. It was nothing." reputation. But really, she's passive aggressively grumbling behind the scenes and complaining about the working conditions. She'll tell you she's on your team for all seasons, but she's on the edge of throwing a tantrum, especially by late July.

When I listen to this little pixie voice, I watch fretfully for the first signs of life each spring. I'm never confident that the rhubarb will return each year. I worry. I inspect the ground daily. I jump for joy when the first leaves appear. And then I wait to see what personality she'll have this year. The Heroine or the Prema donna?

On my other shoulder, the nurture pixie argues for reason with my analytical side:

Get over yourself. It's just rhubarb! Add some mulch and a nice layer of well-rotted manure. Don't let her dry out this year - you know she doesn't really like the drought. She just needs some attention and early season pampering. And don't forget to water in the heat of July this year.

And then, I listen to my better instincts. I can't control what I can't control! I have no say over whether the Prema donna or the Heroine will appear - I just need to try to improve the conditions and hope for the best season after season. It's one of the most important lessons I've learned in the garden after all these years: control what you can, do your best and let nature do what she's going to do. I can't control the weather after all.

Rhubarb-inspired alchemy underway in the kitchen. Bubbling jam in process.

Adding the Extra to the Ordinary

Rhubarb is one of those garden vegetables (yes, it is actually a vegetable despite it's reputation for tarting up a pie) that people either love or ignore. Either they wait eagerly for a berry and rhubarb pie to signal the height of summertime, or they don't think about it much at all - I haven't met anyone who hates it outright.

Setting aside the rhubarb lovers of the world - I've been contemplating the rhubarb-ambivalent contingent. In Maryland, when I express excitement about rhubarb season, I’m met with blank stares more often than not. Often, the response is a weak "that's great" with an encouraging smile that says "I love to support you but I really couldn't care less."

It's a mystery to me. Truly.

While my rhubarb harvest looks a bit weak so far this year (new plants need to establish and sulky plants are sulking), I have big plans in the kitchen. I'll supplement with grocery store finds when I see them, and will stretch my harvest as far as I can.

There's always rhubarb pie, of course. But when I have smaller quantities to use, I often find other ways to extend that gorgeous flavor:

• Rhubarb jam - I've made batches with strawberries (always a classic), blueberries and even blood oranges (fabulous with ice cream or yogurt).

• Rhubarb syrups - I’m always a fan of syrups to flavor drinks in lieu of soda. I usually add a bit of orange zest and ginger. I don't follow a recipe, but riff on inspirations I find online.

• Rhubarb-infused vodka - Really good, and brings an earthy quality to cocktails. I tried it with rum, and didn't love it. But I think with a better rum the results would be better.

• Rhubarb shrub - I haven't made this yet, but I will soon. I love shrubs in the heat of the summer! Here's the link to a Bon Appetit rhubarb shrub recipe if you're curious. No doubt there are multiple others out there.

Play with rhubarb in the kitchen! Branch out beyond the pie! Make believers of the unbelievers!

And if your rhubarb is sulking like mine? Hang in there. With some TLC, she'll perk up.

---

I hope you have a beautiful day wherever you are in the world. More importantly, I hope you are inspired to see the most common veggies in a new way!

Bring the outside in, and live a garden-inspired life today and everyday. If you can't grow your own - shop your local farmers market or grocer! Inspiration can come from anywhere.

There are so many people out there who think they can't live a garden-inspired life because they rent or don't have a big garden of their own. If that's you - or a friend of yours - please share this with them!

All are welcome to this garden party!

And, if you enjoyed this post, please consider restacking to keep sharing the inspiration and knowledge with others. You can also take a moment to hit the heart-shaped button ❤️ and leave a quick comment below. One restack or like from each of you and the post will land on the screens of a someone who doesn’t know that Hello Gardenette exists!

I’m on a personal mission to inspire a million gardeners to create a million new gardens. Want to join me? Just bring a friend and help them start their garden too. A very small container garden is a great place to start.

The world needs more gardens - and gardeners. Thank you for being here!