Rehmannia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 7th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Rehmannia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Rehmannia boasts tubular flowers in hues of yellow to purple They have a long blooming season and help to enrich garden biodiversity.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers partial shade with a fertile well-drained soil. They enjoy a moist - but not water-logged - environment.
- General Care: Benefits from regular watering and a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Chinese Foxglove can be forgiving to beginners, focus on avoiding water stagnation to prevent root rot. Use a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Chinese Foxglove, and Beverley Bells: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Rehmannia plant genus are half hardy perennials that range in height from 30 cm to 1.8 m (1 to 6 feet).
Rehmannia blooms from the latter half of spring until summer.
They have long stems, and double lipped tubular flowers that grow in racemes.
Some common names for Rehmannia include Beverley Bells and Chinese Foxglove.
Rehmannia elata – Chinese foxglove by Peganum; Creative Commons.
Rehmannia elata by das_sabrinchen; Creative Commons.
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Rehmannia Plant Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Chinese Foxglove, Beverly Bells.
- Family: Orobanchaceae.
- Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
- Height: 24 to 60 inches (30 to 150 cm).
- Native: China.
- Growing Region: Zones 7 to 10.
- Flowers: Spring and summer.
- Flower Details: Red, purple, rose, cream. Speckled. Tubular. Lipped. Racemes.
- Foliage: Lobed. Toothed, Veined.
- Sow Outside: Cover seed. Before the last frost or in autumn. Spacing 8 to 18 inches (20 to 45 cm).
- Sow Inside: Germination time: two to six weeks. Temperature 60°F (16°C). Seven or eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors following the last frost; minimum temperature 41°F (5°C).
- Requirements: Partial shade. Good drainage. Rich soil. Spring mulch of leaf mold. Watering during prolonged dry spells. Perennial: winter mulch; cuttings from the roots in winter.
How to Grow Beverly Bells and other Rehmannia Plants in the Garden
When growing Rehmannia plant species such as Beverly Bells and Chinese Foxglove outdoors from seed, do so towards the end of autumn or just before the last frost of spring. Lightly cover the seed once sown.
Beverly Bells and other Rehmannia species prefer to grow in a soil that is fertile and has good drainage. The area of the garden should be sunny with an afternoon shade.
Depending on the Rehmannia species the plants should be spaced at 12 inches (30 cm; small species) or 18 inches (45 cm for larger varieties.
If starting indoors, do so about two months in advance (Beverly Bells need to be transplanted outdoors just after the last frost of spring). Rehmannia plants should take from two to six weeks to germinate at 15 to 18 degrees centigrade (59 to 64°F).
Caring for Beverley Bells - Rehmannia
It is fairly easy to look after Chinese Foxglove and Beverly Bells (Rehmannia). They require regular watering when growing and a mulch in spring.
Common Questions
How many members does the Rehmannia genus contain?
The Rehmannia plant genus, part of the Orobanchaceae family, contains about six species.
Do Rehmannia members make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Rehmannia plants, especially Rehmannia elata, are grown for their attractive tubular flowers and are suitable for borders or containers.
Which Rehmannia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most commonly cultivated species is Rehmannia elata, known for its beautiful, large, bell-shaped flowers in a vibrant pink hue.
Are Rehmannia plants fragrant?
While they're attractive to look at, Rehmannia plants are not typically known for their fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Rehmannia?
Rehmannia thrives in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained, fertile soil.
Is Rehmannia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Presently, Rehmannia species are not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Rehmannia plants from my garden?
Removing Rehmannia is as simple as digging up the entire plant, being sure to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Rehmannia plant genus consists of herbaceous plants. These are often grown for their tubular flowers. These plants, native to China, are also commonly used in traditional medicine.
Rehmannia plants prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They are generally planted in the spring, after the danger of frost has passed. In colder climates, they are grown as annuals or the roots are lifted and stored during winter.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Rehmannia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides for partially shaded areas: How to grow Pearl grass and Gentiana plants.
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