Bells of Ireland
Moluccella laevis
Description
A cutting garden staple and one of the finest annual foliage plants you can grow for mixed bouquets. Plants are heavily branched, producing a bumper crop of tall, lime-green spires adorned with bell-shaped blooms.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 110 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 110 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Germination is often slow and erratic, so be patient. Pre-chilling seed in the freezer for 10 to 14 days or putting freshly sowed trays outside for a few weeks before returning them to heat will help speed up the process.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest once the green bells start to form along the stem; remove leaves from the lower half of the stem, as they will yellow prematurely. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Details
Description
A cutting garden staple and one of the finest annual foliage plants you can grow for mixed bouquets. Plants are heavily branched, producing a bumper crop of tall, lime-green spires adorned with bell-shaped blooms.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 110 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 110 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Germination is often slow and erratic, so be patient. Pre-chilling seed in the freezer for 10 to 14 days or putting freshly sowed trays outside for a few weeks before returning them to heat will help speed up the process.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest once the green bells start to form along the stem; remove leaves from the lower half of the stem, as they will yellow prematurely. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Summer Mini Course
Learn how to grow, harvest & arrange beautiful cut flowers
In our upcoming three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.
