98 – 112 days. Bells of Ireland seeds promise exotic, unmistakable, and low-maintenance blooms native to the cool and dry highlands of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Bells of Ireland boast 24 – 36” tall stalks brimming with lime green “bell-shaped” blooms. Bells of Ireland grows an exciting annual bordering plant, yet still favored as an exotic fresh cut to liven up any seasonal basket, bouquet, or centerpiece. Bells of Ireland is one of the summer’s most tolerant and hardy grows and promises to thrive in a variety of gardens across North America. 100 seeds.
Growing Bells of Ireland Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Moluccella laevis
- Other Names: Bells-of-Ireland, Shellflower, Mollucca Balm, Lady-In-The-Tub
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Bells of Ireland seeds are cool summer annuals and thrive best when sown directly in the garden two weeks prior to the final frost. However, for earliest blooms, begin indoors 6 – 8 weeks prior to the final frost and then transplant to a cool place in the garden. Bells of Ireland seeds will germinate in 14 – 21 days with full lighting. Plants may reseed unless stems are cut prior to seed formation.
- Days to Maturity: 98 – 112 days
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 10
- Planting Depth: Lightly press without covering 4 – 5 seeds in soil
- Plant Spacing: 12”
- Growth Habit: 24 – 36” tall upright with a 9 – 12” spread of unique spiked columns of 2 – 3” “bell-shaped” blooms
- Soil Preference: Loose, moderately fertile, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Bells of Ireland is native to the cool, dry, and temperate highlands of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and known to tolerate poor and dry soils. Plants will show signs of wilt in excessively hot and humid summers. Bells of Ireland is a hardy annual with no serious pests or diseases.
- Colors: Unique lime green bells
Bells of Ireland seeds are cool summer annuals and thrive best when sown directly in the garden two weeks prior to the final frost. However, for earliest blooms, begin indoors 6 – 8 weeks prior to the final frost and then transplant to a cool place in the garden. Bells of Ireland seeds will germinate in 14 – 21 days with full lighting. Plants may reseed unless stems are cut prior to seed formation. Lightly press without covering 4 – 5 Bells of Ireland seeds 12” apart in loose, moderately fertile, and well-drained soil in full sun. Bells of Ireland is native to the cool, dry, and temperate highlands of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and known to tolerate poor and dry soils. Plants will show signs of wilt in excessively hot and humid summers. Bells of Ireland is a hardy annual with no serious pests or diseases. Seeds mature in 98 – 112 days as 24 – 36” tall uprights with a 9 – 12” spread of unique spiked columns of 2 – 3” “bell-shaped” blooms.
Moluccella laevis, or more commonly known as Bells of Ireland, is native to the cool and dry highlands of the Caucasus mountains and have since naturalized throughout many similar regions of the Middle East. Bells of Ireland was once mistakenly thought to be from the Molucca Islands of Indonesia and, hence, given the genus name Moluccella. Bells of Ireland is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and represents “luck” in the Victorian-era Language of Flowers.