Color challenge Green Thursday...

BELLS OF IRELAND
My favorite flower to use in a flower arrangement.

How to Grow Bells of Ireland Plants

Bells of Ireland are distinctive and stately plants, grown for their tall, dark green spires, thickly covered by lighter green, bell-shaped leaves. This annual plant grows approx. one metre tall. The leaves are so lush, they all but hide the small white or pink flowers. Flowers bloom once during the season, with a pleasant fragrance.

The spikes of Bells of Ireland are used fresh or in dried arrangements, they are also popular in wedding bouquets and arrangements.

Caution: The stalks have small thorns.

Try these attractive plants in a container on your balcony or deck.
Plant Height: 75mm - 100mm.

Drying Plants -
For dried arrangements, harvest plants in mid to late summer, when flowers are at their peak.
Hang stalks upside down in a warm, dry, well ventilated area.

How to Grow Bells of Ireland Plants:

Bells of Ireland plants grow best in cool weather. Grow them in partial sun.

Place these tall plants in the back of the flower garden.
They do best in rich, loam soils, but will grow in average soils with regular applications of fertilizer..

Space plants about 12 inches apart.

Keep soil evenly moist. Water frequently in dry weather.

Add a high nitrogen fertilizer once a month, to promote lush, healthy growth.

Protect plants from high winds use stake spikes as needed.

Photos from the Internet
Source http://gardenersnet.com/flower/bells-of-ireland.htm