During my early morning garden inspection on Friday, I was entranced by the emerging leaves of the rhubarb plants as they unfolded from their round red knobs, at first looking like the convolutions of a brain. They were decorative and frilly, of varying hues of green and yellow, with touches of red. As they unfolded they seemed to be fists relaxing and loosening. The crisp pleats of leaves became like elegant fans.... ...or glorious bustles on a gown, or grand Renaissance collars. From their beginnings, the rhubarb leaves take on a dramatic role; they begin as fabulously folded, sashaying their way into life, and grow into the grandest leaves in the garden.