Moluccella laevis, or Bells of Ireland, doesn’t hail from the Emerald Isle at all;
rather this lovely flowering annual is native to Turkey, Syria and the Caucuses.
In his Species Plantarum, published in 1753, botanist Carl Linneaus named this plant Moluccella
laevis, apparently believing that they originated in the Moluccas, an archipelago in Indonesia
also known as the Spice Islands.
It’s believed that the flower was taken to Europe from Syria around
1570, possibly for use in the burgeoning perfume industry, along the established trade routes that
linked Europe and the Middle East. Perfumery makes use of the volatile oils of many members
of the Lamiaceae family, to which Bells of Ireland belongs, including hyssop, lavender and patchouli.
Bells of Ireland has a singularly striking presence. Its two- to
three-feet tall, square-stemmed spires are laden with cup-like green leaves and tiny,
delicate white and violet flowers that exude a sweet vanilla-like fragrance.
Moluccella made its way into U.S. gardens during the late 19th century. In 1884, Vick’s
seed catalog listed it as Molucca balm, noting that it was also referred to as shell flower.
Burpee’s 1894 catalog also called it Molucca balm, “for the delightful balm fragrance that
arises from it when cut or broken.” (Among its other names, it has also been referred to as “Lady
In the Bathtub.”) In 1938, Rex D. Pearce’s Seeds of Rare Plants called the plant “quaint,” saying
it brought to mind the “demure faces” of Quaker maidens, “framed in gray bonnets,” and described
the color of the flowers’ calyces as a “delicate, pearly greenness, like sun through sea-water.”
In 1942, it began showing up as Bells of Ireland, when Bodger’s and
Vaughan’s seed companies both listed it as such in their catalogs. That year,
Vaughan’s offered it as one of its new flowers and specialties, calling it “Bell of Ireland.”
Given its name — and its money green color — Bells of Ireland has come to symbolize good luck
in the language of flowers. It is prominently featured in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations,
and it makes frequent appearances in flower arrangements for graduates and newlyweds. Florists
love Bells Of Ireland for its unusual looks and its stamina as a cut flower.
Bells of Ireland is an alluring ornamental, but since many members of the Lamiaceae family have
long been used in traditional medicine, researchers have also begun to investigate whether
it might have similar properties. A recent study examined its potential antibacterial compounds,
concluding that the plant holds promise as a source for discovering new antibacterial agents
and warranted further study of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Bells of Ireland plants are easily started from seed, and should be started indoors 8
to 10 weeks before last frost, then transplanted out once the nighttime temperature is reliably
above 40 F. They are slow to germinate, but chilling the seeds in the refrigerator
for two weeks may coax them along. Plant the seedlings about a foot apart in a sunny location.
It likes regular watering and benefits from regular fertilizing, but it doesn’t
much like high heat or humidity. Bells of Ireland will readily reseed if given a chance.
These striking green stalks make a wonderful complement to colorful
blooming flowers in the garden. Plant some for luck and beauty in your garden!