In Search of Hops, Rhubarb, Horseradish etc.

I'm looking for sources for rhubarb culms, hop rhizomes and other garden mainstays that are more difficult to propagate by seed. These will be used for Wheaton Labs projects!

Hops: These will be trained up a trellis on the south side of the shopatorium to mitigate mid-summer heat.
As far as I've seen the rhizomes are fairly expensive and seeds are hard to come by. Also, most commercially available rhizomes are exclusively female. I think that having some male plants and the possibility of one day propagating them by seed would be ideal.

Rhubarb: These will be planted all over the place!

Other perennial vegetables normally propagated by the roots like asparagus and horseradish are also on the list.


Any advice on sources, especially ones offering bulk orders, would be appreciated!

My landlord grows a hardy species of heirloom hops from the region at his house here in Missoula. Every year Kettlehouse does a special brew with them called "Central Street Hops." I'm sure he'd let you come take some.

I know of one plant in town that you could probably take rhubarb from. Many people grow it.

Thanks Jesse! The more local the better! I'd certainly pay for some if he's willing, too.
Kettlehouse makes some delicious stuff, I'll have to try that one.

I can show up whenever the ground isn't frozen with a shovel just PM me and we can coordinate!

Well, he cut his down at the end of last season so you might have to wait. I can ask if he kept any around though. PM me for a phone number.

I have a lot of horseradish that can be dug as soon as it pokes its leaves through the ground. Let me know. I'm in south central Iowa.

I ordered victoria rhubarb seeds from Everwilde Farms on Amazon. I had nearly a 100% germination rate with them. Unfortunately I managed to kill them through neglect while they were still seedlings in soil cubes.

Link to Everwilde Farms rhubarb on Amazon

I've read mixed things about starting rhubarb from seed. Most places say they aren't exactly true to parent, but some places say they still taste fine while others say they wouldn't recommend it with no mention of taste. I have a decent amount of land to work with and want lots of rhubarb, so I figured I'd give it a shot and cull out the ones that don't seem good.

Many places say that you won't get a worthwhile harvest until the second year after planting, but some talk about harvesting in the first year. IIRC the people harvesting in the first year were mostly in the south where rhubarb is grown as an annual.