A superb heritage rhubarb, renowned for its exceptionally long harvesting season, low acidity, and rare suitability for growing from seed. It produces large, long, thick, and relatively soft stems that are typically bright red at the base with a green tinge towards the leaves. Its flavour is sweet, tender, and juicy, making it ideal for pies, jams, and wine. Heavy cropping and fast-growing. A robust and reliable plant, valued as an outdoor, late-season variety.
First recorded in Brighton, UK, around 1920 and originally listed simply as “garden rhubarb,” it was developed by and named after John Jessie Glaskin (1875–1940), a local greengrocer, and enthusiastic gardener who maintained an orchard in Kemp Town. The name “Perpetual” reflects its ability to be harvested continually from early spring right through summer and into early autumn. A trait made possible by its consistently low oxalic acid levels, which prevent the stems from becoming bitter or inedible later in the season as happens with many other varieties.
Growing to around 60 cm (2 ft) in height with a spread of up to 120 cm (4 ft), it thrives in full sun to partial shade in rich, well-drained, humus-rich soil, with plants spaced 90 cm to 1.2 m apart. While it grows well from divisions, it is notable as one of the few rhubarb varieties that can be easily and successfully raised from seed. Fully hardy in the UK.
A superb heritage rhubarb, renowned for its exceptionally long harvesting season, low acidity, and rare suitability for growing from seed. It produces large, long, thick, and relatively soft stems that are typically bright red at the base with a green tinge towards the leaves. Its flavour is sweet, tender, and juicy, making it ideal for pies, jams, and wine. Heavy cropping and fast-growing. A robust and reliable plant, valued as an outdoor, late-season variety.
First recorded in Brighton, UK, around 1920 and originally listed simply as “garden rhubarb,” it was developed by and named after John Jessie Glaskin (1875–1940), a local greengrocer, and enthusiastic gardener who maintained an orchard in Kemp Town. The name “Perpetual” reflects its ability to be harvested continually from early spring right through summer and into early autumn. A trait made possible by its consistently low oxalic acid levels, which prevent the stems from becoming bitter or inedible later in the season as happens with many other varieties.
Growing to around 60 cm (2 ft) in height with a spread of up to 120 cm (4 ft), it thrives in full sun to partial shade in rich, well-drained, humus-rich soil, with plants spaced 90 cm to 1.2 m apart. While it grows well from divisions, it is notable as one of the few rhubarb varieties that can be easily and successfully raised from seed. Fully hardy in the UK.
