Bells-of-Ireland (Shellflower)
Moluccella laevis. LAMIACEAE (LABIATAE).
Planting and Growing Bells-of-Ireland
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow bells-of-Ireland in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of bells-of-Ireland
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for bells-of-Ireland
- Season of bloom and planting time for bells-of-Ireland
- When, how deep, and where to plant bells-of-Ireland
- How to plant bells-of-Ireland
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of bells-of-Ireland
- Landscape and container uses of bells-of-Ireland
- Comments about bells-of-Ireland and its features
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Growing Bells-of-Ireland
Several cultivars of erect, narrow annual herbs, to 3 ft. (90 cm) tall. Opposite, smooth, green, oval to round, finely toothed leaves, to 2 in. (50 mm) long.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Tiny, white, tubular flowers, to 3/4-in. (19-mm) long, each within a showy, cup- or bell-shaped, bright green, veined calyx, to 2 in. (50 mm) wide, in whorls around an erect stalk, in summer.
Best Climates
Self-seeding, zones 2–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH
Where and How to Plant
Early spring, zones 2–8; autumn, zones 9–10, in full sun, 9 in. (23 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize monthly. Deadhead spent flowers, leaves on lower stalk. Stake. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, backgrounds, beds, borders in cottage, rock gardens. Good for cutting, drying. Protect from rain, wind. Pest and disease resistant.