Could it Be? A Garden Surprise

Our house is over 130 years old. We have lots of mature trees and plants that have been here forever. We bought our house ten years ago and we are still finding mysteries inside and outside of it.

We have a mint patch that is in full bloom. I think it was planted by Joe's great-aunt, who owned the house before we did. She hadn't lived in the house for several years prior to our buying it, and used it as a two-apartment rental.

Anyway, last night Spenser and I were watering the herb garden and strawberry plants and she was trying to show me something she and Joe had planted near the mint patch. Of course I noticed the pesky, giant weeds that are impossible to get rid of, so I quickly pulled a few. When I saw these giant leaves, I thought I'd get rid of them, too ... Until I realized (or maybe I just think) that it's rhubarb.

For ten years this plant has survived Lera's torture. I've cut it. Pulled it. And it's been mowed over many times. And, I am now just realizing (or hoping and praying) that it is rhubarb. I've been driving my friends and family crazy with the notion that I want to grow rhubarb. I think almost every conversation I've had recently has ended with my talking about rhubarb. And now, I'm not sure how much longer this plant will live, being that it's been maimed and assaulted for ten years.



I mean, I've googled images of it and it looks like rhubarb to me. What do you think?

Comments

Myrnie said…
Sure looks like it!
4:08 PM EDT
nikko said…
That is hilarious! Looks like rhubarb to me, too!
4:50 PM EDT
MoonDog said…
ya just cant kill rhubarb! and ya just cant get enough of it either! looks like it to me. break one off and give it a taste. ps if you pull the seed stem that keeps the plant coming up apparently. at least thats what my mother tells me. Seems counterintuitive to me.
6:39 PM EDT
lisa said…
I have no idea, but I would contact your county extension agent. I always thought it was more red then green on the stem. They would know for sure. Too funny!
12:34 AM EDT
Ann Flower said…
I just recently discovered your blog and am so glad I did. What a sweet post!
1:01 AM EDT
Roxanne said…
Definitely looks like rhubarb to me. Mine always has green stems instead of red - I think it's something to do with soil content. Still tastes the same though!
10:43 AM EDT
nikki said…
Woo hoo! Your dream come true! :)
4:03 PM EDT
hooli said…
totally looks like that rhubarb i just planted in my own garden. lucky girl. I hope this means that you will have lots of rhubarb recipes to share.
12:52 AM EDT
Candice said…
It looks like it could be rhubarb, but I agree with the comment to check with your local extension office to verify. I planted rhubarb in my garden this year and the stalks on mine don't look the same as what you have there.
8:22 PM EDT
utmommy said…
Now you can make rhubarb pie!! YUMMY!
12:34 AM EDT
Kat said…
I think it is. It looks like mine only much bigger.
11:30 PM EDT
Lina said…
Looks like it to me! I don't know where in MD you live but the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners are at the Annapolis and Severna Park farmers' markets on Saturdays (probably other places too) and they do plant identifications and answer plant questions and such. They could tell you for sure. I bet the other county master gardeners do the same thing too. Good luck!
7:52 PM EDT
FinnyKnits said…
It looks like it to me, but I'm no expert.

I'm with Lisa - check with the county extension, or, you know, taste it.

Just DON'T TASTE THE LEAVES. Rhubarb leaves are poisonous, I'm told.

Fun surprise!
2:06 PM EDT
Unknown said…
I've been googling like crazy to learn my enemy. I have been chopping down giant plants like this out of my raised bed all day. How could it have gotten there?
7:31 PM EDT
Lera said…
I believe the plant in question is "elephant ear," not rhubarb:

https://www.google.com/search?q=elephant+ear+leaves&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb

Good luck.
10:43 PM EDT
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