Friday, September 3, 2010

A Perfect Shade of Apple Green: Bells of Ireland

'Apple Green' Bells of Ireland
This year marks the first time I've had an opportunity to cultivate this charming, old-fashioned annual, grown from a trial packet of seeds from Renee's Garden.
Moluccella laevis ... aka Bells of Ireland.
Many fine bouquets were produced!
The seeds - sown directly in the ground in late-spring - were able to thrive in the full sun of T's community garden plot.
Not surprisingly, my attempts to grow but a few seeds here at home failed, with nary a spot that received enough sunshine for the plants to flourish.

17 comments:

  1. Oh, I love the lemon-lime photo styling! You've taken a sweet English (Irish?) garden favorite and brought it into the 21st century!

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  2. You are inspiring me to buy a seed packet next spring. I admire this plant very much and have not yet grown it. Very pretty and wonderful in a bouquet.

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  3. Great yellow and green ... I love arranging with these bells. ;>)

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  4. Thanks for honing in on a favorite color combo of mine. The rusted tray hanging on the porch wall is a cool find Tom picked up at a garage sale.
    It deserves its own post;~D

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  5. Bells of Ireland - they're gorgeous! I've only seen them in store-bought bouquets before. Do you think they would do well in the Sacramento area?

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  6. Helen,
    I think they'd like the heat of summer in Sacramento!

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  7. These might be the flowers I need for my upcoming wedding arrangements! I wonder if I can get them blooming by May here in Florida...

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  8. I just love green flowers. Such subdued beauty.

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  9. Hello Alice, Beautiful architecture to these emerald spires. When I grew them, picked some to preserve by standing in glycerine oil. They turn a gorgeous oatmeal colour

    Laura

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  10. Dear Alice I love this plant - picked with a dark buddleja - they look fabulous together plus Marigold Indian prince.

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  11. RG
    Congrats on the wedding!

    Wendy, Agreed, something special about green blooms.

    Ian, It is one adorable plant.

    PP/Laura,
    Wish I had some glycerine oil. I made a half-hearted attempt to dry some upside down but my garage was too light and perhaps a bit too moist as well.

    Catharine,
    I'd love to see the combination you describe. Sounds divine.

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  12. Oh how beautiful those plants are! and they can also go lovely with flower arrangements of any color. How wonderful. I bet as a plant on the ground it is also very lovely.

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  13. BOI is one I've always wanted to try but haven't so far. A community garden is a great place for growing some cut flowers. Living in an apartment years ago, I'd even try out perennials in my community garden patch. You've inspired me, Alice. I need to get on the list again and see what community plots are available.

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  14. Once again I learn something too late. Well, one of the good things about seasons is that they come round and round so we get second and third chances. Roll on spring!

    Lucy

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  15. Alice, This plant is completely new to me. Where have I been? Gorgeous. Pam

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  16. I've always admired these flowers but so far I've never grown them. I think they make a great cut flower.

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