Before green flowers became a hot trend, there were bells of Ireland, a flower in cultivation since the 1500’s. Also known as shell flowers, these flowers are native to Turkey, not Ireland, but their fresh green color and symbolism of luck coming from the bell shape give them their Irish nickname.
Florists love Bells of Ireland for their availability and longevity, and you’ll see them used in wedding bouquets as often as in St.Patrick’s day bouquets.
Get to Know the Shell Flower
The Lamiaceae plant family contains many valuable ornamental and culinary plants, including salvia, catmint, coleus, thyme, and lavender. The genus name, Moluccella laevis, refers to the Molucca islands that were once thought to be the origin of the plants, and to the smooth (laevis), hairless plant parts.
Many gardeners don’t realize that they’re growing bells of Ireland for their green calyxes, not the tiny white flowers within. These outer green sepals form the showy green “bells” that surround the tiny fragrant flowers within.
Bells of Ireland grow in all zones, but fare poorly in areas with hot and humid summers. The plants need full sun to prevent flopping, and you should expect healthy plants to grow about three feet tall by September.
How to Plant Bells of Ireland
Plant bells of Ireland in the garden after the last frost date in your area in average garden soil.
Leave seeds uncovered, as they require light to germinate. The seeds are slow to germinate, taking up to a month to produce shoots, so for earlier blooms start them indoors two months before the average last frost date.
Stratification increases the germination rate of bells of Ireland. You can expose them to cold by sowing them outdoors in the fall, or by refrigerating them for a week before starting them indoors.
Care Tips for Bells of Ireland
Keep bells of Ireland consistently moist. Soaker hoses are great for providing moisture without water-logging the plants. Bells of Ireland are top heavy, and they may topple over after a heavy rain or in areas exposed to wind. Stake the blooming stalks, grow the compact variety, or grow them in a sheltered area to keep the spires upright.
Bells of Ireland don’t rebloom, so you can remove plants past their prime without guilt. However, you may want to leave them in place long enough for the seeds to mature and scatter, as these annuals are self-sowing.
Bells of Ireland in the Garden
Bells of Ireland flowers are easy to dry, and they add interest to fresh cut flower arrangements. The lime green flowers make an attractive foil for wine or magenta colored flowers, other green flowers are fuji mums and Kermit poms. Celebrating all things green this St Patrick’s Day.
If you harvest bells of Ireland for fresh or dried bouquets, wear gloves to protect your hands from the small spiny thorns that grow along the stems! The stiff calyces of bells of Ireland last up to two weeks in fresh arrangements but the flowers don’t maintain their green tint as dried specimens.
The bells will gradually turn tan when they dry.