Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland is a cool season annual popular for its unique bell-shaped foliage harboring dainty white flowers. The long, vertical stems are a favorite for fresh and dried flower arrangements. In addition to their beautiful bright green color, they also have a sweet fragrance which some describe as “sour apple”. Light aids germination; lightly press seeds into the soil’s surface but do not cover. Seeds benefit from 1–2 weeks of chilling at 35–40°F before sowing.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• Bells of Ireland grows best in the fall and the spring. Super hot temperatures in the summer will distress your plant. In Zones 9 and 10, you can start the seeds in the fall for blooms all winter and spring.

Zones 2-8

• Transplant seeds in when the treat of frost has passed.

Planting Bells of Ireland Seeds

• Seeds are best transplanted in starter pots and then transplanted planted in the garden. To direct sow, plant seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered. Cover with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• This plant prefers a full-sun location. Seeds must remain moist to germinate evenly and quickly.
• Once the seedlings have germinated and have a first set of true leaves, be sure to fertilize them regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer.
• Space plants to at least 12″ apart.

Growing Bells of Ireland

• Bells of Ireland require moist soil to thrive. Add compost to the soil to increase moisture retention.
• Keep your plants weed-free by pulling any weeds competing with the crop.
• This plant easily re-seeds.

Succession Planting Bells of Ireland

• This plant blooms for long periods of time but is most spectacular when young. As your plants fade, you can replace them with new plantings. Because of this, we recommend planting new seeds every 14 days.

Growing Bells of Ireland in Containers

• Bells of Ireland can be grown in a container. Make sure your container is at least 10″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture.

Harvesting Bells of Ireland 

• Harvest flowers as they begin to flower. These flowers make great fillers for bouquets and arrangements. Be sure to leave some flowers for the pollinators, too.” Butterflies and bees love the blooms!

Southern California Pro-tips

• In areas of Zones 9 and 10, Bells of Ireland can be challenging as it requires amble regular moisture.
• Mulch heavily around your plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much. Compost added to the soil at the time of planting will help retain moisture in the soil during hot, dry weather.
• To extend the growing season, use shade cloth, which can protect the plants from heat.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Borage is an herb that is also very ornamental when it goes to flower. Interplanting borage with your Bells of Ireland makes a great astetic combo.

Additional Learning Resources

• Are you new to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Ready to sharpen your gardening skills? Join our Growing Together Membership to start saving time and money, and get the most out of your garden!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information on garden pests at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.