Gunnera x cryptica - Giant-rhubarb

The Gunnera is characterised by extremely large leaves, the underside of which have stalks with spikes on them. Leaves with diameters well in excess of a meter are commonplace, with a spread of 3m by 3m (10'x10') on a mature plant! This plant grows best in damp conditions (by the side of garden ponds, for example), but dislikes winter cold and wet. 

Cover the plant with its own dead foliage to protect the crown in winter.


This is a hybrid of manicata and tinctoria and has characteristics of both plants, though is hardier than manicata.