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Gunnera manicata (Giant rhubarb)

Beginner
skill rating
1 hour care
per year
2.5m
Max height
4m
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Gunnera manicata

Other names

Giant rhubarb, Chilean rhubarb, Prickly rhubarb

Genus

Gunnera Gunnera

Species

G. manicata - G. manicata is a large perennial with rubarb-like, prickly leaves.


Gunnera manicata is: Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Flower

Red, Green in Summer

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Seed

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Where to grow

Gunnera manicata (Giant rhubarb) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Bog garden, Waterside

Cultivation

Plant in humus-rich, permanently wet soil in sun or partial shade. In autumn, bend the dying leaves over the crown of the plant to provide winter protection.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Boggy damp conditions

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

Companion plants

Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn redwood)
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)
Nymphaea 'Attraction'
Nymphaea 'Attraction' (Waterlily 'Attraction')
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush'
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' (Dawn redwood 'Gold Rush' )

Botanical name

Gunnera manicata

Other names

Giant rhubarb, Chilean rhubarb, Prickly rhubarb

Genus

Gunnera Gunnera

Species

G. manicata - G. manicata is a large perennial with rubarb-like, prickly leaves.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

Red, Green in Summer

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings, Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Gunnera manicata (Giant rhubarb) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Bog garden, Waterside

Cultivation

Plant in humus-rich, permanently wet soil in sun or partial shade. In autumn, bend the dying leaves over the crown of the plant to provide winter protection.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Boggy damp conditions

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

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Soil types: Clay, Loamy Tell us...
Soil drainage: Boggy damp conditions Tell us...
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Tell us...
Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade Tell us...
Aspect: South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Sheltered Tell us...
Hardiness: Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) Tell us...

COMPANION PLANTS

Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn redwood)
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily)
Nymphaea 'Attraction'
Nymphaea 'Attraction' (Waterlily 'Attraction')
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush'
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' (Dawn redwood 'Gold Rush' )

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

what requirements

what requirements (wet, slightly wet,verry wet.) read more

There are 6 active discussions about Gunnera manicata (Giant rhubarb)

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GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT

eric & kathryns natural retreat (ellies playground)
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Main Rear Garden
Kevin Griggs
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Maureen Allen
Exotic Garden
Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson
My Garden
My Garden
jane
Deep in Monmouthshire
Deep in Monmouthshire
Steve Czyrko
My Garden
My Garden
Steven Thomas
Ken & Frankie
Ken & Frankie
ken pritchard
The Nook
The Nook
Stevie
My Garden
My Garden
Barry
My Garden
My Garden
Matt D-W
My Garden
My Garden
Christopher Bond
My Garden
My Garden
Jane
My Garden in lincs near the coast
New Herbaceous Border
Fifty Shades Of Green and other colours!

ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT

Chiswick Secret Garden

By Blackheath based garden designer Catherine Clancy MSGD.This long thin West London garden had lots of lovely mature trees providing a good structure, but a lot shade. read more

Passing on a Cambridge garden

Tim Ewbank recently sold his Cambridgeshire home and garden. He decided at the same time to pass along his Shoot account to the new home owner so they could benefit from the information about their… read more

All The Worlds A Stage Garden

2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare share a rich history together so where better to celebrate Shakespeare’s talent as… read more

Macmillan Legacy Garden

read more

The Daily Telegraph Garden

read more

View all 14 articles


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