Four O' Clocks ( mirabilis
jalapa ) This cheerful flower got the common
name “Four O’Clocks” because the flowers open in late the afternoon.
They remain open until morning and on cloudy days, they may not close
at all. They are pollinated by bees, hummingbirds and moths. The
trumpet-shaped, flowers come in pink, red, yellow, white and some
bi-colors and have a slight, sweet vanilla scent.
Additionally, an
individual flower can be splashed with different colors ( shown in one
of our photographs). Another interesting point is a color-changing
phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures,
it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color.
Similarly white flowers can change to light violet or
yellow.
Four O'Clocks are leafy, shrub like, multi-branched perennials
that produce flowers all summer long. 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. Four o'clock is great for a bed or border and tends to reseed
prolifically, assuring a steady supply for years to come. This
wonderfully colorful, old-fashioned plant is easy to grow and great
for a child's garden. Four O'Clocks are native to tropical South
America. They have become naturalized in many parts of the Southern
U.S.
1 pack of 50+ seeds $3.50
1oz (approximately 350+ seeds) $7.50
1/4 lb $15.00
1/2 lb $25.00
1 lb (approximately 5600+ seeds) $40.00
