Name: Bells of Ireland

Botanical Name: Molucella laevis

Pronunciation: Mol-you-sell-a lay-vis

Family: Labiatae (mint) family

Origin: Bells were first cultivated in Belgium in the late 1500.

Availability: Year round

Color Options: The flowers of the bells of Ireland are dainty white bell-shaped buds, and the foliage is white-veined green.

Grows in: Syria and other eastern Mediterranean countries.

Care Tips: Stems have tiny thorns so care should be taken when handling, gloves are recommended

Life Span: Up to a few weeks

Uses: Their elegant stature and simplistic beauty makes Bells of Ireland a most impressive decorative flower. They do wonderfully in a mixed centerpiece, as aisle holders, or against the alter canopy. As an aside, Bells are also used as a perfume because of its pleasant fragrance.

Mixes well with: Pale pastel colors compliment the noble physique, but exotic flowers such as birds of paradise also have their place next to bells. The many shades of purple also go very well with bells.

Interesting facts: Bells of Ireland don't actually grow in Ireland. This flower gets its name from the luscious green color of its leaves. The lovely white-veined green bells are not flowers at all. Rather they are calyxes, which clothe the small sweet white flowers found within. Bells symbolize good luck, and are often used in St. Patrick's Day decorations.