Gunnera tinctoria

Gunnera tinctoria
giant rhubarb, Chilean rhubarb

SIZE/TYPE	medium-sized shrub
USUAL HEIGHT	1-2m
USUAL WIDTH	1-2m
LEAVES	deciduous broadleaf
COLOUR OF LEAVES	green
FLOWERS	less showy but noticeable
BLOOMING TIME	June - August
LOCATION	semi-shade to shade
USDA zone (lowest)	6b (down to -21°C)
WINTER PROTECTION
FOR ZONE 5+6
FOR ZONE 7
BELONGS TO CATEGORIES	Perennials Exotics

Giant rhubarb is probably the biggest herbaceous perennial in the world, apart from banana trees. This exotic looking plant is called dinosaur’s food and comes from the Andes (Chile, Costa Rica, Columbia) where it can grow 3 m tall.

Its leaves work like funnels, directing all rainwater right into the center of the plant. It loves boggy soil, otherwise you have to water it often in the summer. Such leaves transpire a lot of water that must be added. However, in winter, the roots must not stand in water or they will rot, as the leaves die back and cannot transpire.

Gunneras need diffused sunlight or shade. Well established plants can take half a day of direct sunlight with sufficient watering. For vigorous growth, larger leaves, and better colour we recommend providing a lot of nutrients. Hardy to about -21°C (USDA zone 6b) or -27°C with protection.

Last update 16-01-2009; 22-08-2023

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GLOSSARY

STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.