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Mirabilis jalapa

Image of Mirabilis jalapa

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Botanical Name

Mirabilis jalapa

Plant Common Name

Four O'Clocks

General Description

Four o’clocks is a large, bushy, tender herbaceous perennial from tropical America. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in abundance all summer in mixed shades of yellow, red, pink, magenta, or white, with several colors often occuring on one plant. Flowers open in late afternoon and last until morning. Small, black, ribbed, egg-shaped seed capsules follow the flowers. Large, paired, oval leaves densely clothe the upright stems, which are swollen at their joints. Where hardy, plants die back to tuberous roots after frost and resprout in spring. This plant also often persists by self-sowing, both within and outside its hardiness range.

Four o’clocks do well in reasonably fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, where it often self-sows prolifically. In colder districts, dig and store the tubers in fall or watch for self-sown seedlings in spring. It adds fragrance and color to borders or patio containers. Be sure to place it where its nocturnal flowers will be appreciated.

This plant is considered invasive in China, Spain, Malawi, and other areas.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m (3)

  • Width

    2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m (3)

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow, Red, Pink, Magenta

  • Fruit Color

    Green, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Light Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes