- Botanical name: Moluccella laevis
- Common name: Bells of ireland
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Annual
Green
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
Bells of Ireland, Moluccella laevis, is an unusual plant bearing long spikes of small, fragrant, white-pink flowers, which are surrounded by a pale green calyx, in late summer. Perfect for flower arranging, the bells will last for years and are useful in winter arrangements. It also looks good in herbaceous borders, contrasting well with bolder-coloured plants.
For best results grow Moluccella laevis in moist but well-drained soil. Sow seed undercover in early spring and plant out when all risk of frost has passed.
How to grow Moluccella laevis
-
Plant size
75cm height
23cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sow | ||||||||||||
Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
Plant | ||||||||||||
Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Flowers | ||||||||||||
Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Moluccella laevis and wildlife
Moluccella laevis has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Moluccella laevis poisonous?
Moluccella laevis has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People