Rich taste of the past in rhubarb plantings

Pink Champagne, German Wine and Holstein Blood are just three of the 60 new varieties of rhubarb that have been planted in the walled kitchen garden at the National Trust's Clumber Park.

Clumber head gardener Chris Margrave, seen checking the new plants, helped to establish the National Rhubarb Collection at what is now the

Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Harlow Carr in Harrogate.

Most of the 90 rhubarb varieties now planted at Clumber are not widely grown and varieties such as Linnaeus, Goliath and Victoria all date back to the mid-19th century.

Over the course of 200 years, rhubarb varieties have been selected for their suitability for forcing, stalk colour, yield and flavour.

Mr Margrave said: "It's really satisfying to know that we're making a real practical contribution to plant conservation by growing these varieties. One of the most exciting aspects of having so many is the opportunity to taste all the unusual flavours – some have hints of cherry, greengage, apple or strawberry, which we hope to use in

our restaurant.

"The next target will be to seek out more varieties to reach the 100 mark," he added.

Picture: Chris Lawton.