Bells of Ireland in Zone 4a & 4b
Moluccella laevis
Yes, bells of Ireland grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 3 and plant out May 8–May 15.
When to plant bells of Ireland in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 27–Apr 3 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 8–May 15 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 6–Aug 13 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of bells of Ireland in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 22–May 29
- MarigoldMay 22–May 29
- CarnationMay 8–May 15
- Orlaya (Laceflower)May 8–May 15
- Phlox (Annual)May 8–May 15
- RanunculusMay 8–May 15
Bells of Ireland isn't grown for its flowers at all, really. The tiny white blooms tucked inside are almost beside the point; what the plant is grown for is the spike of pale, papery green calyxes surrounding them, which is what gives the cut stem its name and its appeal in arrangements.
How bells of Ireland fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Bells of Ireland needs about 90 days from sowing to first bloom.
Bells of Ireland planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | Aug 11–Aug 18 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | Aug 21–Aug 28 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | Aug 6–Aug 13 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | Aug 1–Aug 8 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jul 17–Jul 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | Jun 16–Jun 23 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | May 9–May 16 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Jan 23–Jan 30 | Apr 23–Apr 30 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for bells of Ireland.
Where to buy bells of Ireland seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's bells of Ireland seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing bells of Ireland" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Bells of Ireland in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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