Bells of Ireland

Moluccella laevis

Features

  • Foliage & Filler
  • Medium producer

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

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

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

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.