Bells of Ireland Moluccella laevis
- Phonetic Spelling
- mol-yoo-SELL-ah LYE-vis
- Description
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Semi-hardy annual noted for producing a mid-summer to fall bloom of showy flower spikes. Calyces are densely packed along each flower spike from top nearly to base. Tiny stem thorns are sharp to the touch. Plants perform best in cool summer climates.
This is an excellent plant for fresh cut or dried flower arrangements. For dried flowers, it is best to cut flower stems prior to seed ripening and hang the stems in bunches in dry places with good air circulation.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Moluccella
- Species:
- laevis
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Asia, Transcaucasus and Turkmenistan
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Description:
- Showy flower spikes featuring fragrant but tiny white flowers of little ornamental significance encased by large, showy, cup-shaped, green calyces
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Light green leaves 2&1/2 inches long
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border