BELLS OF IRELAND

SEASONALITY
➜ Available Year-Round

DESIGN TYPE
➜ Line Flower

VASE LIFE
➜ Moderate to Long-Lasting

BLOOM SIZE
➜ 1.5–3in

STEM LENGTH
➜ 60–100cm

➜ Bells of Ireland can safely remain dry-packed for 2–3 days, but earlier hydration helps maintain crisp, well-supported stems

➜ Give stems a fresh cut and hydrate for 3–4 hours before designing, allowing the tall stems to fully firm up before use

➜ Remove the lower foliage and any bells that will sit below the water line to help maintain excellent water quality throughout conditioning

➜ Watch for the small thorns hidden along the stems while processing—they're harmless but can make stripping foliage a little more interesting than expected

➜ Bells of Ireland is beautiful in ceremony urns, sympathy tributes, church florals, tall vase arrangements, and large event installations where natural height helps define the overall silhouette

➜ Place taller stems early in the design so they're supporting the composition rather than trying to squeeze them into an arrangement that's already finished

➜ If stems develops a slight curve during shipping, pinching off the top spray of foliage at the tip of the stem helps them straighten up within a few hours

POSITIVES ➜
♡ Unique color and form
♡ Excellent vertical movement
♡ Great for large-scale designs
♡ Instantly recognizable

NEGATIVES ➜
✗ Hidden thorns occasionally choose violence
✗ Can be awkward to transport
✗ Sometimes arrives looking a little unruly
✗ Refuses to fit neatly into standard flower buckets

Why are they called Bells of Ireland?
➜ Despite the name, Bells of Ireland are not native to Ireland—the name is believed to reference the plant's vibrant green color

Why do my Bells smell a little weird?
➜ Bells of Ireland have a distinctive scent that some people describe as herbal, peppery, or slightly earthy—it's completely normal and one of the characteristics florists either love, or love to complain about

Do Bells of Ireland have thorns?
➜ Yes, small thorns can be found along portions of the stem

Why is my stem curved instead of straight?
➜ Bells naturally grow toward light and often develop some curvature during production and shipping; many florists intentionally use these natural curves to create movement in designs

Can I straighten curved stems?
➜ Conditioning stems upright in deep water helps reduce minor bends, but heavily curved stems often retain some natural shape—if you want your stems to straighten up, simply pinch the top of the stem off and watch your Bells straighten up in a few hours

Can Bells of Ireland be used outdoors?
➜ Yes, and generally better than many delicate flowers—they tend to tolerate moderate outdoor conditions fairly well, though extreme heat and prolonged direct sun can shorten performance

Are the green "bells" actually the flowers?
➜ Not quite—the showy green bells are enlarged calyxes that surround the small white flowers hidden inside

When do florists use Bells of Ireland instead of snapdragons or larkspur for height?
➜ Bells provide strong vertical movement while adding texture and vibrant green color, creating a completely different look than flowering line materials

Can I remove some of the bells from the stem?
➜ Absolutely—many designers selectively remove bells to create lighter movement or expose more of the stem for contemporary designs

☆ Adds height and interest without visual heaviness
☆ Excellent for creating movement and structure
☆ One of the most useful green flowers available
☆ A favorite for weddings and event work
☆ Can completely change the shape of an arrangement

☆ Hydrangea
☆ Roses
☆ Delphinium
☆ Stock
☆ Lisianthus
☆ Garden Roses
☆ Italian Ruscus

☆ Despite its common name, Bells of Ireland are actually native to the eastern Mediterranean, not Ireland

☆ The distinctive green bells are modified plant structures called calyxes, while the true flowers are the tiny white blooms nestled inside each one

☆ Designers often rely on Bells of Ireland to introduce height and strong vertical rhythm without adding visual heaviness or bold competing colors