There are two plants in the Renfrew community that are a common sight in the neighbourhood: peonies and rhubarb. One a flowering plant and the other a stalky vegetable with elephant ear leaves. However, both plants share traits that allow them to flourish in this community. Surprisingly both plants are native to Asia and came to Canada via European settlers. Although there are rhubarb plants native to North America, most species found in Canada are from Asia.
Both plants do well in cooler climates and survive the Calgary winters. These low maintenance plants, once established, are also drought tolerant. You can keep your peony plant looking fresh during summer by deadheading dead flowers and you can pick your rhubarb stalks until midsummer. Picking rhubarb stalks after early summer will decrease the plants energy needed to produce next year’s crop. A good watering and fertilizing routine will also keep your plants healthy during the growing season. In the fall, you can cut down your peony plant to about six inches and remove and throw away the wilted rhubarb leaves and stalks.
If your peony plant becomes crowded or out grows its living space, in the fall you can divide this plant. If your rhubarb is not producing thick stalks you may want to divide this plant too. Rhubarb is best divided and planted in the spring.
Another interesting fact is both plants are edible. Peony flowers, in small quantities, are edible but the plant and root are not. Even though rhubarb stalks have a sour taste, the stalks are edible, but the rhubarb leaves are not. In all cases, it is good to double check if your plant is edible prior to consuming. So, enjoy your peony flower petals in salads or dessert garnishes and your rhubarb in a cinnamon compote or crisp.
I encourage you as you walk around the neighbourhood this fall to be on the lookout for these two plants that have survived in the neighbourhood for over 75 years and consider incorporating these two hardy plants into your garden next year to add to your culinary adventure or just to have some lovely greenery in your garden.
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