Kitchen Garden Forum

My neighbour has a well established Yew tree growing next to the wall between our properties. It has been well cut back so it does not shade my ground. Last year I planted a Rhubarb plant just in front of the wall. It seemed to do well but this year it struggled to grow in the Spring and now appears to be dying. People tell me that it is the Yew that is killing it. Is this true and if so will I be able to plant anything in this space?

I think one factor involving two things are causing your rhubarbs problem.
That factor is probably lack of water.

Both the yew tree and the wall soak up water. I would not be surprised if the ground where your rhubarb is is bone dry.

Both my rhubarb plants are really droopy this year, in spite of being watered - the water table is so low.