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A short-livedperennial with pretty leaves, but really grown for the large pink flowers (that it hasn't managed to produce for me yet)!
Possibly slightly tender, but it was undamaged last winter. Missouri Botanic Gardens description says: "Rehmannia elata, commonly known as Chinese foxglove, is an herbaceous perennial that typically grows to 2-4’ (infrequently to 5’) tall. It is native to China. Large-veined, ovate-oblong to elliptic, medium green leaves (to 10” long) with irregularly scalloped margins grow in a basal rosette. Tall flowering stalks with smaller alternate leaves rise up from the basal rosette in spring bearing dangling, two-lipped, trumpet-shaped, rose-pink, penstemon-like flowers (to 2” across and 3” long) with yellow spotted throats. Heaviest bloom typically occurs in June-July. Bloom lasts longer in mild winter climates where foliage remains evergreen. Flowers are arranged on each stalk in a manner similar to common foxglove (Digitalis), but are botanically unrelated to common foxglove. Genus name honors Joseph Rehmann (1753-1831) German physician and botanist who settled in St. Petersburg. It seems to need more warmth in summer that I can be sure of and it only persisted here for a couple of years. |
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| 27th September 2009 | ||
