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Bells of Ireland Moluccella laevis

Phonetic Spelling
mol-yoo-SELL-ah LYE-vis
Description

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:
Tags:
#dried arrangements#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#dried arrangements#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Moluccella
    Species:
    laevis
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    West Asia, Transcaucasus and Turkmenistan
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border