General info on the bells of Ireland flowers
The bells of Ireland flowers belong to the family of the Lamiaceae, and the genus Moluccella laevis. The name of Moluccella comes from the Molucca Islands, the place initially regarded as their origin, while laevis is a reference to the smooth parts of the plant.Appearance
The purpose of the flowers is mainly ornamental, just like many other plants in the same family. Their calices are used in flower arrangements, both fresh and dried. Given the connection to Ireland, you can see them often in decorations for St. Patrick’s Day. Also, since they represent luck, they are often incorporated in wedding bouquets. The bells of Ireland flowers are easily recognizable from their appearance. They have tall stems, reaching 2 or 3 feet, covered in big bell-shaped calyces. Many people mistake the bells for the flowers of the plant, when they are actually leaves. The real flowers are hidden underneath the bells, and are colored in pink or in white.Origin
Judging by their name, you would say the bells of Ireland flowers come from Ireland. However, this name is only related to their green appearance and luck symbolism. Others might say they come from the Molucca Islands, just like their scientific name says. This is, again, wrong. The plants originate from the Caucasus area, Turkey, and Syria.Where do the plants grow?
The bells of Ireland flowers can grow mostly anywhere, but they mostly prefer colder areas. To thrive, they need to grow in a place with partial to full sunlight, and like dryness. However, they can also cope with a cooler summer. Hotter summers with a lot of humidity might affect the plant’s development.What to know before planting
Before you plant the flowers, you first have to know where they thrive better and how to care for the future plant. You need to pick the suitable soil and the best position in your garden, and know how to help the flowers grow. Before planting, you need to know if your soil suits the plant you have chosen. Fortunately, bells of Ireland are not so picky. You can plant them in any average garden soil, as long as the spot you choose has good drainage. Also, pick a place in the garden where the plant will get as much sun as possible. They are tall plants, so you should place them somewhere at the back of the garden, where they can serve as background. Also, they can grow anywhere, meaning that they can tolerate mostly any plants around them. However, tulips are their most preferred companions.Start the planting process
You can plant the seeds directly outdoors
You can either plant the bells of Ireland flowers directly outside in your garden, or you can start in a pot in a warmer place indoors, and then move them outside. If you choose the outdoors option, you should start sometime in early spring, but after the last frosting event. Also, don’t forget to put some fertilizer in the soil before planting. They have moderate tolerance to frost, and even the earliest seeds can escape frost damage. However, in case the soil freezes suddenly, the plants are unlikely to survive. This is why you should make sure you pick the planting moment after the last frost event has passed. To make sure everything is fine, you should start planting only after the soil is easy to dig.You can plant the seeds in a pot and keep them inside until spring arrives
If you live in a colder climate but want to make sure your flowers will survive, you can choose the indoors option. You can plant the seeds in a pot while it’s still winter. Then, you can easily transfer them into the soil while it’s still relatively cold outside. If your climate is a little warmer, you can even plant the seeds outside during fall. The winter won’t be as harsh, and it will actually be better for the seeds to grow in a cooler soil. This exposure to cold increases the success rate of the germination, as it gets the seeds used to natural conditions. You can even keep the seeds in the refrigerator for a week before planting them.Are the Growing Conditions for Lily Flowers Similar to Bells of Ireland Flowers?
Are the growing conditions for lily flowers similar to Bells of Ireland flowers? If you want to grow stunning lily flowers at home, it’s important to understand their specific needs. Lily flowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil, while Bells of Ireland thrive in cooler temperatures and partial shade. So, although both are beautiful in their own way, their growing requirements differ.
After planting
Feeding
After you have put the seeds in the soil, do not cover them. They require a lot of light, and cutting it off from them will prevent the bells of Ireland flowers from growing. The germination process is quite slow, and it ends about 25 or 35 days after planting. Once germination is over, you can start feeding the plants. Supply them with organic fertilizer on a regular basis. Also, to propel their growth, add some liquid fertilizer as well. This should offer them all the nutrients they need.Watering
The bells of Ireland flowers need a lot of moisture. Therefore, make sure you water them regularly. They love a moist soil, but it still needs a patch of land with good drainage. To avoid overwatering, it’s better to use a soaker hose. Be really careful, as too much water is their greatest enemy. The bells might suffer greatly if they get exposed to too much rain. Also, extreme wind as another great risk factor. Therefore, make sure you keep them at shelter. The place where you should plant them requires a lot of sunlight, but it should also keep them safe from extreme phenomena.Harvesting and replanting
If you want to turn the bells of Ireland flowers into decorations, you should first decide what kind of arrangements you like. You can either use them fresh or dried. If you want the bells fresh, you should start harvesting when half of them are open on a stem. To dry the bells, you should wait until all of them open, and then do the harvesting. The flowers start blooming in spring, and they keep doing it until fall. However, the blooms reach their peak in mid- to late summer. This is the perfect moment to harvest the bells for drying. After picking them up, hang them upside down in a dry and aerated space, at a warm temperature. Once you have removed the flowers, the plant won’t bloom again. This means you can remove it from the soil without fear of disturbing it. However, make sure the seeds have matured first. These plants are self-sowing so, at some point after maturation, the seeds should start scattering. In other words, you don’t have to replant them.
Can Bells of Ireland Flowers Be Planted in January for Winter Blooms?
Yes, Bells of Ireland flowers can be planted in January for winter blooms. According to the winter flowers and plants calendar, this time is ideal for sowing these seeds indoors, where they can germinate before being moved outdoors for blooming later in the season.
