Hot Pink Gerbera Daisies

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brazilian candles

Although the Brazilian candles plant isn’t offered at nurseries as regularly as bromeliads or peace lilies, this tropical flower is worth seeking out. It’s a prolific bloomer and easy to grow, even for beginning gardeners.

An unusual feature of Brazilian candles is its habit of secreting plant juices that form attractive glistening beads on the leaves and stems.

Pavonia multiflora, Family Malvaceae

Common Names:

Brazilian Candles, Many Flowers

purple bridal bouquets

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Red Roses and Green Orchids

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bells of ireland

Before green flowers became a hot trend, there were bells of Ireland, a flower in cultivation since the 1500’s. These flowers are native to Turkey, not Ireland, but their fresh green color and symbolism of luck derived from the bell shape give them their Irish nickname.

Florists love bells of Ireland for their availability and longevity, and you’ll see them used in wedding flower arrangements as often as in St. Patrick’s day bouquets.

Moluccella laevis, Family Labiatae

Common Names:

Bells of IrelandMolucca BalmShell Flower

Zone:

Bells of Ireland grow in all zones, but fare poorly in areas with hot and humid summers.

Size:

20-30 inches

Exposure:

Partial sun

Bloom Period:

Midsummer to first frost

Plant bells of Ireland in the garden after the last frost date in your area in average garden soil. Leave seeds uncovered, as they require light to germinate. The seeds are slow to germinate, taking up to a month to produce shoots, so for earlier blooms start them indoors two months before the average last frost date.

Stratification increases the germination rate of bells of Ireland. You can expose them to cold by sowing them outdoors in the fall, or by refrigerating them for a week before starting them indoors.

Bells of Ireland flowers are easy to dry, and they add interest to fresh cut flower arrangements. The lime green flowers make an attractive foil for wine or magenta colored flowers, like ‘Red Velvet’ celosia, globe amaranth, or ‘Purple Prince’ zinnias.

If you harvest bells of Ireland for fresh or dried bouquets, wear gloves to protect your hands from the small spiny thorns that grow along the stems. The stiff calyces of bells of Ireland last up to two weeks in fresh arrangements, but the flowers don’t maintain their green tint as dried specimens. The bells will gradually turn tan when they dry.

Get More Blooms From Roses

Pests decrease the bloom count on roses in two ways: by weakening plants, and by eating the blossoms themselves. A systemic pesticide, like acephate, protects tender new growth from aphids, mites, thrips, and whiteflies. Organic options like neem oil or insecticidal soap are options for rose bushes adjacent to vegetable gardens.

million bells

Would you like an annual flower that blooms nonstop without the need for deadheading? How about one that spills gracefully over the sides of your containers and hanging baskets, but has a dense trailing habit rather than a spindly one? Million bells plants fit this description, and they attract hummingbirds and butterflies to boot.

Your grandmother probably didn’t grow million bells, but not because they didn’t exist. Petunias and million bells were exported from South America to Europe in the 1800’s. Petunias ruled until 1997, when Proven Winners licensed the up-and-coming million bells from its breeder, Sunstory Ltd.

Genus Calibrachoa, Family Solanaceae

Common Names:

Million Bells, Trailing Petunia

Zone:

Million bells plants are tender perennials hardy in zones 9-11, but most gardeners treat them as annuals.

Size:

3-12 inches tall, spread up to 2 feet

Exposure:

Million bells flower best in full sun. Bright dappled shade or afternoon shade are second choice placements in the garden, but may turn your “million bells” into “thousand bells.”

Bloom Period:

Spring through frost

Their trailing habit, low maintenance, and prolific blooms make million bells excellent candidates for containers and hanging baskets. Million bells are also somewhat drought tolerant, so you can include them in the rock garden. If you use million bells as a ground cover, keep in mind that they seldom spread more than two feet, so plant enough to ensure adequate coverage.