Bells of Ireland Seeds (Moluccella laevis)

Moluccella laevis, or Bells of Ireland, is a plant that proves green is a colour in its own right. It produces tall, striking spikes covered in apple-green, bell-shaped cups (calyces) that hold tiny, fragrant white flowers inside.

The symbol of good luck, this plant is an absolute essential for flower arrangers. Whether used fresh in summer bouquets or dried for winter displays (where they turn a beautiful straw-gold), they provide a unique, architectural shape that you simply cannot find in other flowers.

Why Your Garden Needs Bells of Ireland

We love this plant because it is the ultimate "mixer." That fresh, zingy lime green goes with absolutely everything—it cools down hot pinks, makes purples look richer, and looks incredibly elegant when paired with pure whites.

It is also one of the best dried flowers you can grow. The "bells" hold their shape perfectly when hung upside down to dry, giving you material for Christmas wreaths and winter arrangements long after the garden has gone to sleep.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Bells of Ireland is a Hardy Annual.

This means it completes its life cycle in one year: you sow the seed, it grows, flowers, and dies back, all within 12 months. Because it is "Hardy," it can withstand cold weather. In sheltered gardens, you can sow it in autumn for bigger, earlier plants the following year, though spring sowing is generally more reliable for this variety.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

These seeds have a little trick to them, but once you know it, they are easy.

🌱 Germination (The Cold Trick):
To get the best germination, pop the seed packet in your fridge for a week before sowing (this is called stratification). When you sow them, do not cover them with soil—they need light to wake up. Just press them onto the moist compost. Keep them cool (15-18°C); they hate being too hot!

Where to Sow:
Sow indoors in pots in spring, or direct outdoors once the soil warms up in May. They have a taproot and dislike being moved, so if sowing indoors, use modules or fibre pots to minimise root disturbance when planting out.

Care While Growing:
Plant out in a sunny, sheltered spot. These plants grow tall and can become top-heavy with all those bells, so they definitely need staking or netting to stop them toppling over in the wind.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if these lucky bells are the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Green flowers look sophisticated and modern when paired with crisp whites. Here are my top partners from the shop to create the ultimate "Green & White" garden:

• ☁️ Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower): The horizontal white lace of Ammi provides the perfect contrast to the vertical green spikes of the Bells. They are the two most important "foliage/filler" plants for any cutting patch.
• 🌸 Cosmos 'Purity': The large, clean white faces of 'Purity' look fresh and bright against the apple-green bells. Both plants grow tall and sway beautifully together in the breeze.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in spring for summer flowers. Autumn sowings are possible in sheltered areas for earlier blooms.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)