Rhubarb needs winter cold to trigger new growth in spring, and a Scottish winter supplies plenty. So the variety doesn't decide whether you get a crop. It decides when: forcedCovering plants to exclude light and speed early, tender growth in the dark, most associated with rhubarb and sea kale in late winter. Full definition → in February, a heavy crop from April, a later maincropThe main, usually latest-sown and longest-growing type of a crop, grown for bulk and storage rather than an early harvest. Full definition →, or stems again in autumn.
Quick answer
Timperley Early to force for the earliest stems. Raspberry Red for a heavy crop from April without forcing. Fulton's Strawberry Surprise for a small space, and Livingstone for stems in autumn.
What Scotland means for the choice
Timing is the main difference between varieties, so the useful question is when you want to pick. Forcing dates such as Timperley Early's "around February" are UK-wide figures; in a colder, later spring further north or on high ground, expect them to run a little behind (see frost dates by region). Size is the other difference: some varieties make a clump 2.5m across, others stay within 1m. The rhubarb growing guide covers planting, soil, the first two years and harvesting, and forcing rhubarb in Scotland covers forcing.
| Variety | Height / spread | Forcing | Harvest | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timperley Early | 1–1.5m / 1.5–2.5m | Ideal | February forced; from March | The earliest stems |
| Stockbridge Arrow | 0.6m / 1.2m | Suitable | From late April | An early alternative to Timperley Early |
| Raspberry Red | 0.5–1m / 0.5–1m | Suitable | April to June | A heavy crop with no forcing |
| Fulton's Strawberry Surprise | 0.5–1m / 0.5–1m | Not stated | May and June | Small spaces; sun or part shade |
| Victoria | Up to 2.5m / 1.5m | Not stated | From late May | A reliable, high-yielding old variety |
| Cawood Delight | 1.4m / 1.4m | Not suitable | Outdoor maincrop | Stem colour and quality over yield |
| Livingstone | 0.1–0.5m / 0.5–1m | Not stated | Mainly autumn; some in summer | Stems later in the year |
Timperley Early, Raspberry Red and Fulton's Strawberry Surprise hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGMThe RHS's Award of Garden Merit: a UK-wide trials award for reliable performance, not a Scotland-specific recommendation. Full definition →), a UK-wide award rather than a Scottish one. The others don't.
For the earliest stems: Timperley Early and Stockbridge Arrow
Timperley Early is an early variety, ideal for forcing, with lots of thick red stems. Forced, it's ready around February; grown normally, from March. It's a big plant, spreading 1.5–2.5m. Stockbridge Arrow is also suitable for forcing and crops from late April unforced, with thick, bright red stalks and distinctive arrow-shaped leaves, on a smaller plant. It's the one to buy if you can't find Timperley Early.
For a big crop without forcing: Raspberry Red and Victoria
Raspberry Red is a heavy cropper with sweet, bright red stems from April to June, and it needs no forcing. It's also compact, at 0.5–1m each way. Victoria is the old, reliable, high-yielding variety, with greenish stems flushed red from late May, but it grows up to 2.5m tall, so give it room.
For a small space: Fulton's Strawberry Surprise
Fulton's Strawberry Surprise is a vigorous maincrop with bright red stems and a good, balanced flavour, ready in May and June. Like Raspberry Red it stays within 0.5–1m, so it fits a raised bed or a large container, and it grows in sun or partial shade.
For something different: Cawood Delight and Livingstone
Cawood Delight gives thick, deep pinky-red stems with good shine and flavour, but a smaller yield. It isn't suitable for forcing. Grow it for fewer, better-looking stems.
Livingstone is the one variety with a different season. Other rhubarb crops in spring and early summer; Livingstone's main crop runs from early to late autumn, and you can pick some in summer too. It's also the smallest here, at 0.1–0.5m tall.
Which one for your situation
- The earliest stems, forced: Timperley Early, or Stockbridge Arrow.
- A heavy crop with no extra work: Raspberry Red.
- A raised bed, container or part shade: Fulton's Strawberry Surprise.
- Plenty of room and a traditional variety: Victoria.
- Rhubarb in autumn: Livingstone, alongside a spring variety.
Whatever you grow, protect young and forced shoots from slugs and snails.
Common questions
Is Stockbridge Arrow as good for forcing as Timperley Early?
Both are suitable for forcing. Timperley Early is described as ideal for it and holds the AGM; Stockbridge Arrow doesn't, but it's a good alternative if it's the one you can find.
Which rhubarb suits a small garden or container?
Fulton's Strawberry Surprise or Raspberry Red, both 0.5–1m each way. Livingstone is shorter still, at 0.1–0.5m, and crops in autumn.
Can I pick rhubarb in autumn?
Not from most varieties. Livingstone is the exception: its main crop runs from early to late autumn. Grow it alongside a spring variety to pick rhubarb twice a year.
Sources
Show the 8 sources
- How to Grow Rhubarb: AGM varieties (Timperley Early, Raspberry Red, Fulton's Strawberry Surprise) and their descriptions; cold needed to trigger spring growth
- Rheum × hybridum 'Timperley Early': Height and spread, forcing, harvest timing
- Rheum × hybridum 'Raspberry Red': Height and spread, harvest window, forcing
- Rheum × hybridum 'Victoria': No AGM, height and spread, stems, harvest from late May
- Rheum × hybridum 'Fulton's Strawberry Surprise': Height and spread, harvest window, sun or partial shade
- Rheum × hybridum 'Stockbridge Arrow': Height and spread, harvest from late April, forcing, leaves
- Rheum × hybridum 'Livingstone': Height and spread, autumn cropping
- Rheum x hybridum 'Cawood Delight': Stems, lower yield, not for forcing, height and spread