Rehmannia elata is a perennial plant from China. It can height 24-36 inches tall. It makes an excellent cut flower. Rehmannia elata are Foxglove-like tubular, pinkish-purple, 3 inch flowers with yellow throats, that are lightly freckled in red. This is a great alternative plant to grow instead of its cousin Digitalis purpurea. Not only does it bloom longer than Digitalis it has a showier flower. The spikes are sometimes only three feet tall, though our oldest specimens have shot up flower stalks that are over five feet tall. The tallest spikes do lean. Rehmannia elata takes advantage of mild climate and blooms over a long period. Flowers continuously from May to November with the heaviest bloom in late Spring. It can bloom as late as December, though certainly not full big exciting blooms like in Summer and early Autumn. During cooler temperatures the plant will flower more than during hot weather. In zones farther South it will be unhappy in Summer but bloom in Winter. Its furry foliage, quite short under the tall spikes of flowers, forms mottled bronzy rosettes. Smaller rosettes of leaves pop up from underground rizomes all around parent plants. The leaves on this plant are triangular, coarsely serrated, and grey-green, often with red tinges. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Hardiness zones 6-11, (-20øC/-5øF, 4øC/40øF) in Winter. There are other reports of hardiness to zone 5. The plants are easy to grow in sun or shade. It wants neutral rich moist, very well draining soil, becoming drought tolerant once it's been established for a year or two. In early Spring it can be given a slow-release fertilizer, but demands little else. Water regularly, do not overwater.