| Description | Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) A vertical annual with tiny white to pinkish flowers, encased in a bell shaped apple green colored calyx, |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (mol-you-Chel-uh) |
| Plant Type | Annuals, Site author's observations |
| Hardiness Zone | tolerates cool weather and light frosts |
| Sunlight | full |
| Moisture | average to moist |
| Soil & Site | average |
| Temperature | does not do well in hot humid climates, prefers cool summers |
| Flowers | tiny white to pinkish flowers, encased in a bell shaped apple green colored calyx, calyxes are groups of sepals, whorled around the leafy stem, good as cut or fresh flowers |
| Stems | square |
| Roots | fiborous |
| Dimensions | 1-3 feet tall |
| Maintenance | may need staking, will reseed |
| Propagation | seeds in situ, or indoors where refrigeration for 2 weeks will help germination |
| Native Site | native to western Asia, around Turkey, Syria and the Caucasus |
| Cultivar Origin | cultivated since 1570 |
| Misc Facts | Popular in dried and fresh arrangements. The common name "Bells of Ireland" is associated with the green color of the bell shaped calyx. AKA: Lady in the Bath, Shell Flower, Balm of Molucca, Molucella |
| Author's Notes | No matter how many times I see this plant, the cup shaped leaf-like green structures surrounding the tiny flowers, is still interesting. A great green color. |
| Notes & Reference | #28-Cottage Garden Annuals(Clive Lane), #51-Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials (Alan Arimitage), #52-The Cottage Garden and the Old-Fashion Flowers (Genders), #76-Annuals for Every Purpose (Larry Hodgson) |
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