Four O’clock / Mirabilis multiflora

Named for its habit of blooming after 4:00 PM, Four O’Clocks grow and flower almost anywhere in the U.S., and thrive in conditions where some flowers would languish, including hot, windy areas. Mirabilis is from Latin meaning “marvelous” or “wonderful,” a reference to the beauty of this plant. Multiflora means “many-flowered” in reference to the numerous flowers that can cloak the plants.
Four O’Clocks got their name because it opens in mid-afternoon. It remains open overnight, and closes in early morning. They will also remain open on cloudy days. They are also noted for their strong, pleasant fragrance. They are also called “Marvel of Peru”. Four O’Clocks are actually perennials that are grown as annuals in the U.S.
The plants are erect and spreading, 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) tall and just as wide. They have numerous branches and opposite, pointed leaves 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long. The fragrant flowers are borne singly or in clusters, and can be red, magenta, pink, yellow or white, sometimes with more than one color on the same plant. Individual flowers are trumpet shaped, about an inch across at the end and about two inches long.
Many flowers are borne in small clusters in the leaf axils — the space where the leaves join the stem. The funnel-shaped flowers protrude from a papery floral cup which is made up of greenish bracts (modified leaves) that resemble floral sepals. The flowers are magenta in color and are 1- 3 inches long and about 1 inch across. Four o’clocks do not have petals, rather they have colorful sepals which are petal-like in appearance and fused together into a funnel-shaped flower.
Plant seed directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Cover seeds with 1/2 inch fine soil. Seed can be started earlier indoors in individual peat pots 4-6 weeks before last expected frost. For ideal conditions, select a sunny location in somewhat fertile well drained soil and water when dry in the summer. Four O’Clocks are heat resistant and tolerant of poor soil. Plants can often reseed themselves or grow back from their tuberous roots. Four o’clocks do best in full sun, but also perform well in partial shade.
Four o’clocks self seed and may become a nuisance if not kept under control. If left to spread unchecked, they then can be difficult to eliminate because of the large, deep-rooted tubers. All parts of the plant are said to be poisonous – do not ingest!