Guide to growing Beverly Bells - Rehmannia
Members of the Rehmannia genus are half hardy perennials that range in height from 30cm to 1.8M.
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.
Quick Rehmannia Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Chinese Foxglove.
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
When growing Beverly Bells 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 30cm (small species) or 45cm (larger Rehmannia 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 should take from two to six weeks to germinate at 15 to 18 degrees centigrade.
Caring for Beverley bells - Rehmannia
It is fairly easy to look after Beverly Bells (Rehmannia); they require regular watering when growing and a mulch in spring.