Ring out the news--now there's a green "flower" for the partly-shaded garden! Actually, the masses of wide-open, pealing "bells" on these cheery 2- to 3-foot stalks are not flowers at all but calyces, and their pure white "tongues" are corollas, but the effect is stunning nonetheless!
Bells Of Ireland is one of the most beautiful cutflowers of all, making a lovely companion to any other flowering or foliage stem in the vase. The fresh lime-green color and pretty shape of these bells complements everything around it, evoking the fresh beauty of the spring garden no matter what season it is!
The bells arise so densely up and down the stems of these well-branched plants that they hide the foliage, and they remain fresh for many weeks in late spring and early summer. Bells Of Ireland also makes a great subject for dried arrangements, where its unusual form can be enjoyed for months!
To cut Bells Of Ireland for drying, simply cut the stem when the calyces are fresh, remove the leaves, and hang upside-down in an airy location not subject to too much heat (dry cellars are ideal).
These seeds are easy to start indoors for a spring transplant. They take about 3 weeks (sometimes even a bit longer) to germinate, but once they get going, there's no stopping 'em! Transplant after all danger of frost, when the seedlings have at least 2 sets of true leaves. Packet is 50 seeds.
