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
Seed-Saving Mini Course
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