A tale of two Rhubarbs...

hese pictures were taken on the same day (yesterday). The first is Rhubarb 'Timperly Early', a common variety for early crops. I saw over on Diary of a Mad Gardener that Rhubarb likes a cold winter - as it seems to be growing at a vast rate of knots, I think this must be true. To give an idea of the rate of growth, flicking back to my garden view at the end of March (a whole two weeks ago) reveals Timperly Early to be only just clear of the ground. Dan is thinking of taking a couple of sticks this weekend for a wee pud. The second image is a Rhubarb with no name we brought down from Dan's family garden in Scotland last spring - where there was evidence they produced the biggest Rhubarb stands ever seen. It appeared for the first time only a day or two ago - I was convinced it had disappeared. I've decided to dub this no-name Rhubarb variety (which looks dramatically different from Timperly, even when up) 'Balnakeil Late' from now on. I think this pair neatly demonstrate the need to grow different varieties to extend your eating season!