Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Upright, sparsely branching annual 60–90 cm tall and 30 cm wide.

Foliage

Round to oval with a toothed edge, pale green; largest at the bottom of the stem.

Flower

Small white to pink flowers inside green, shell-shaped calyces set in whorls round the stem. July to September.

Calyx

Large, funnel-shaped, pale green with a net of veins and small sharp teeth along the rim.

Stem

Sturdy and upright; the small prickles under the calyces can sting.

Flowering: July–September · Sowing: March–May · Plants: May

Why grow it?

• Striking, fresh-green flower stems: a rare green cut flower among the colourful summer blooms.
• An excellent cut flower that lasts long in the vase and dries well.
• Bees visit the small flowers hidden in the calyces from July to September.
• A vertical accent at the back of a border or in a cut-flower row.
• An easy annual: full-grown plants in a single summer.

Bells of Ireland: where does it grow best?

• Full sun for sturdy stems and plenty of calyces.
• Ordinary garden soil: sand, loam or clay, acid to chalky; well-drained is best.
• Moderately moist; keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
• Space 25–30 cm apart. Shelter or support stops the tall stems falling over.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Frost tender: plant out after the last frost (mid-May)

Goes well with

• Zinnia: Colourful flowers beside the fresh green, and good together in a bouquet.
• Dahlia: Large, colourful flowers that contrast with the green calyces.
• Cosmos: Airy flowers and fine foliage, lovely in the same cut-flower row.
• Larkspur: Blue spikes, a cool combination with the pale green.

Bells of Ireland: when and how to plant it?

Plant in May.

1. Sow indoors in March–April: the seed germinates better after about a week in the fridge, in a damp bag or pot.
2. Sow on the surface or very shallowly, firm down and keep moist at about 15–18 °C; germination is slow and uneven.
3. Plant out after mid-May, when frost is no longer a risk, with the root ball intact and without damaging the roots.
4. Space plants 25–30 cm apart in a sunny spot.
5. Water in after planting. To sow in place, do so in May on warm, well-drained soil.

Care

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in dry spells. Water at the base, not over the calyces.

Feeding

Rarely needed; too much feed gives soft growth and floppy stems.

Support

In a windy garden, tie the plants to twigs or a net; the stems grow tall and heavy.

Cutting

Cut stems when most of the lower calyces are open; the buds at the top fill out in the vase.

Clearing

Pull the plants up in October and compost them.

Tip: Chill the seed in the fridge for a week before sowing and do not plant out until after mid-May. Wear gloves when picking: the calyces carry small prickles.

Bells of Ireland: when to prune it?

When: An annual is not pruned; you only cut stems for the vase or for drying.

How:

• Cut the stems in the morning and strip the leaves straight away; keep only the calyces.
• To dry, hang the stems upside down in a dry, airy place out of direct sunlight; they turn creamy.
• Wear gloves: the small prickles under the calyces sting.
• Pull the plant up in autumn and tidy the bed.

Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Sowing

In March–April indoors, after a week in the fridge, at 15–18 °C; germination can be slow and uneven. Direct sowing outdoors is possible in May.

Saving seed

Let a few plants ripen; the dried calyces hold the seed. Store it cool and dry.

Bells of Ireland: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to 0 °C: protect in harsh winters.

• An annual: the plant dies at the first frost. It is not hardy, since young plants tolerate at most a night around 0 °C.
• Store seed in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place.
• Dried stems can last all winter in a vase or dried arrangement.

Diseases and pests

• Toppling: Tall stems lean over in wind or rain. Support early and plant in shelter.
• Slugs: Young plants are soon eaten. Search for them in the evening or lay a ring of coarse sand or crushed shells.
• Damping off: Seedlings collapse at ground level. Use clean sowing compost, sow thinly and water moderately.
• Poor germination: Seed germinates slowly and unevenly. A week in the fridge and a steady 15–18 °C help; be patient.

Through the year

• March: Chill the seed for a week, then sow indoors.
• April: Prick out seedlings. Sow more if needed.
• May: Plant out after mid-May. Sow outdoors if wanted.
• June: Put supports in. Watch for slugs.
• July: Flowering begins. Cut the first stems.
• August: Full flower. Cut for the vase or for drying.
• September: Last stems for the dried arrangement.
• October: Clear the plants. Store seed.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• Despite its name, the plant comes neither from the Moluccas nor from Ireland, but from Turkey, Syria and the surrounding area.
• What look like flowers are in fact green calyces; the real flowers are small and white.
• Bells of Ireland belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), like mint, sage and lavender.