This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  'Raspberry Red' produces high quality deep red thick stalks without the need for forcing. It is a relatively early cropper and it has a deliciously sweet flavour, and is ideal for well-drained areas of the vegetable garden, but once planted it should not be moved. The plant would benefit from a generous annual mulch of well-rotted compost or manure.
  
  
• Garden care: Rhubarb needs an open, sunny spot with fertile, moist but freely-draining soil. Heavy soils should be avoided as overly-wet conditions in winter may rot the crowns. Rhubarb does need a cold period before it will start to put on new growth in spring, however hard frosts may damage the newly emerging growth. Dig in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure prior to planting making sure the dormant buds are just below the surface of the soil. Keep well watered. It is important that the stalks are not harvested in their first year as this will adversely affect the plants vigour, but cut any old, yellow leaves off after they have faded and remove all the leaves after they have died back in autumn. You should also remove any flowering stalks which appear. In the second year, you may start to harvest some of the stems, but restrict yourself to between a third and a half of the total crop, leaving the rest to mature on the plant. Allowing some late-developing stems to develop fully will also help the plant generate more energy for the following years crop.