COLUMBIA, Mo. – St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and all things green, including leprechauns and shamrocks. While shamrock is a well-known symbol of good luck, Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) is another interesting plant associated with good fortune, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Magnus Manske, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
Bells of Ireland is an annual plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) plant family that blooms from July to September. Each fragrant, tiny white flower is surrounded by a bell-shaped, green calyx, with many of these “bells” tightly arranged along the floral stem. Leaves are also interspersed between the calyces, with pairs of small thorns on the square-shaped stem.
The flowers are not showy, but the green calyces remain attractive for an extended period. “Bells of Ireland are interesting as cut flowers and can be mixed with other colorful blossoms in fresh or dried arrangements,” Trinklein said. For drying, cut the stems when the “bells” become rigid, and hang the stalks in a dry location with good air circulation.
As luck would have it, the time to start Bells of Ireland seeds indoors is on St. Patrick’s Day, which is about two months before the last frost in Missouri. Place the seeds in a shallow container filled with a potting medium. Barely cover the seeds with potting medium, as they require light for germination.
Next, water the medium lightly, seal the container, and place it in a refrigerator for two weeks. Chilling the seed will enhance germination and shorten the time to seedling emergence, which will happen when the container is subsequently placed in a well-lit location at 65 to 68 F after refrigeration. You can transplant seedlings outdoors when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 40 F. Alternatively, place seeds on top of the soil outdoors in spring when the soil temperature is 50 to 60 F.
Bells of Ireland plants do best in part shade to early morning sun in a well-drained soil. Needing only moderate watering during dry periods, they make attractive border plants when spaced 10 to 12 inches apart. They are excellent choices for English cottage gardens, Trinklein said. Plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall and might require staking in windy locations. When Bells of Ireland flower stalks are left on the plant, they often self-seed.
The triangular seeds can be left to scatter on the soil, or you can collect them to save for planting next year.
Insect pests seldom cause problems on Bells of Ireland, and rabbits and deer do not favor them as a food source.
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day this year, Trinklein offers this slightly modified proverb: “Each flower on Bells of Ireland brings a wish your way: good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.”