How to Grow Bells of Ireland — Moluccella
Moluccella–commonly called Bells of Ireland–bears small, tubular, 2-lipped hooded flowers from summer to autumn. The flowers are borne in whorls of 6 to 8 flowers each with a pale green calyx. Bells of Ireland is an annual with broadly, ovate, deeply scalloped, pale green leaves.
Grow Moluccella in a mixed or annual border. The unusual flower spikes are useful for dried flower arrangements.
Moluccella is a genus of 4 species of annuals and short-lived perennials. Moluccella is native to the Mediterranean to Northwestern India.
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Get to know Moluccella
- Plant type: Annual
- Growing Zones and range: Zones 3 to 11
- Hardiness: Tender
- Height and width: 24 to 36 inches (60-90cm) tall and 9 inches (23cm) wide
- Foliage: 4-sided stems; opposite rounded to ovate mid- to pale-green leaves
- Flowers: Luminous green, bell-shaped flowers on a tall vertical stem
- Flower colors: White or pale pink blossoms set in pale green cups
- Bloom time: Summer
- Uses: Cut flowers fresh or dried cutting flowers, cottage, and meadow gardens
- Common name: Bells of Ireland
- Botanical name: Moluccella laevis
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Origin: the Mediterranean to Northwestern India
Where to plant Moluccella
- Grow Moluccella in full sun.
- Plant Moluccella in loose, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Moluccella uses
- Moluccella is an interesting addition to a mixed border.
- Flowers are charming in bouquets and can also be dried for use in winter arrangements.
When to plant Moluccella
- Sow seeds in spring. In Zones 3-6, sow seeds directly on the soil surface in early spring a few weeks before the last frost. In Zones 8-11, sow seeds in late autumn.
Planting and spacing Moluccella
- Space Moluccella 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) apart.
How to water and feed Moluccella
- Keep the soil evenly moist for Moluccella.
- Fertilize Moluccella every 4 to 6 weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer or work a slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time.
Bells of Moluccella care
- Mulch around Moluccella to conserve soil moisture.
- Remove spent blossoms to encourage more blooms.
Molucella pests and diseases
- Molucella is seldom bothered by pests and diseases.
Moluccella propagration
- Sow seed in early to mid-spring indoors or sow seed in the garden in late spring.
- Seeds germinate in 7 to 18 days at 58° to 62°F (14-17°C) when lightly covered with vermiculite. Plants will be large enough for transplanting in 21 to 45 days. Flowers usually appear in summer, but not always.
Moluccella varieties to grow
- Moluccella lavevis, Bells of Ireland, is an annual with deeply scalloped, pale green leaves; bears whorls of 6 to 8 fragrant, white to pale purplish-pink flowers in 9 to 12-inch spikes in late summer; each flower is cupped in a pale green calyx; plants grow to 36 inches (90cm) tall.
Molucella frequently asked questions
Q: How do I grow bells-of-Ireland from seed?
A: Sow Molucella seed when the soil has warmed and the last frost has passed. You can start seed indoors before the last frost. Do not cover the seed; it needs light to germinate. Keep the seedbed constantly moist until germination. If you start seeds indoors, refrigerate them for 5 days before sowing.
Q: How do I grow bells-of-Ireland for flower arranging?
A: Groom the flowering stem by removing all the leave. Leave only the flowering bell-like bracts on the stem. Stake the stems in summer to produce long, straight stems.
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