Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) are one of those flowers that growers adore once they’ve cracked them — but they can be a little stubborn when it comes to germination.

 

The seeds have a hard outer coat and benefit from a bit of know-how to wake them up, which is why they sometimes frustrate beginners. In this Grow-Along, I walk you through the simple tricks that make all the difference — from preparing the seed properly to giving them the conditions they need to sprout reliably.

 

Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with tall, architectural stems and those wonderful apple-green bells that are perfect for cutting all summer long.