The Genus Mirabilis
Family Nyctaginaceae
This is a medium-sized genus of herbaceous perennials from North America and South America. One species (M. jalapa) is widely cultivated around the world. No other species are commonly grown in our area.
The family, Nyctaginaceae, is small family of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees in the subtropics and tropics. One of the few well-known garden ornamentals from this family in the Coastal Southeast is the bougainvillea (Bougainvillea.)
The family, Nyctaginaceae, is small family of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees in the subtropics and tropics. One of the few well-known garden ornamentals from this family in the Coastal Southeast is the bougainvillea (Bougainvillea.)
Mirabilis jalapa
Mirabilis jalapa
four o'clock
This is the most commonly cultivated species in the genus. Sometimes described as native to Peru, there seems to be a growing consensus that originated in Mexico. It is a herbaceous perennial to three to four feet tall with sturdy, upright stalks and a stout taproot. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers may be white, yellow, shades of pink, or bicolored. They open in the evening and remain open into the early morning. Seeds germinate readily and develop a deep tap root. You may have to dig a plant that volunteers in the wrong spot. Cardinals help control the plant's spread by eating the seeds and, fortunately, the heavy seeds do not move far from the parent plant. It grows well in sun or part shade in a well-drained site. It is drought tolerant. It can be a perennial as far north as zone 6.
Four o’clock seeds are readily available in local stores and catalogs. Seedlings flower in their first year.
I remember this plant and its evening fragrance fondly from my childhood. I planted them where they receive afternoon shade so the flowers open earlier in the afternoon. I first tried the white-flowered form because it seems a little less vigorous than the more common pink and yellow forms. They grew weakly in my dry, sandy soil so I am trying another color form this year, salmon. If it does not succeed, I'll switch to the more vigorous, old-fashioned, pink-flowered type.
This is the most commonly cultivated species in the genus. Sometimes described as native to Peru, there seems to be a growing consensus that originated in Mexico. It is a herbaceous perennial to three to four feet tall with sturdy, upright stalks and a stout taproot. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers may be white, yellow, shades of pink, or bicolored. They open in the evening and remain open into the early morning. Seeds germinate readily and develop a deep tap root. You may have to dig a plant that volunteers in the wrong spot. Cardinals help control the plant's spread by eating the seeds and, fortunately, the heavy seeds do not move far from the parent plant. It grows well in sun or part shade in a well-drained site. It is drought tolerant. It can be a perennial as far north as zone 6.
Four o’clock seeds are readily available in local stores and catalogs. Seedlings flower in their first year.
I remember this plant and its evening fragrance fondly from my childhood. I planted them where they receive afternoon shade so the flowers open earlier in the afternoon. I first tried the white-flowered form because it seems a little less vigorous than the more common pink and yellow forms. They grew weakly in my dry, sandy soil so I am trying another color form this year, salmon. If it does not succeed, I'll switch to the more vigorous, old-fashioned, pink-flowered type.
Mirabilis longiflora
Mirabilis longiflora
sweet four o'clock
This is a herbaceous perennial to three feet tall or more. It is smaller and has a more open, sprawling habit than the common four o'clock. Also, the white to pale pink flowers have red stamens and a very long nectar tube. They open in the evening. A few references state that the flower is highly fragrant but I have not found this to be true for my plants. It is native to Mexico and from Arizona to Texas in the United States. It is not commonly cultivated and little information is available about its cold tolerance. It has been a perennial for me in northernmost zone 9a and zone 10b.
This plant is uncommon in the nursery trade. It may be found in specialty catalogs. It is propagated easily by seeds. I have seen no volunteer seedlings in my gardens but they germinate readily in pots.
Unfortunately, this is not a vigorous plant in my upper zone 9a garden. It grew better for me when I lived in Miami. In zone 9a, the plant dies to the ground in early November and resprouts in mid- to late May. It has survived temperatures in the upper 20's F. It flowers from July to September. Over three years, a dozen plants died out. I suspect it would grow in an better soil or with regular irrigation.
This is a herbaceous perennial to three feet tall or more. It is smaller and has a more open, sprawling habit than the common four o'clock. Also, the white to pale pink flowers have red stamens and a very long nectar tube. They open in the evening. A few references state that the flower is highly fragrant but I have not found this to be true for my plants. It is native to Mexico and from Arizona to Texas in the United States. It is not commonly cultivated and little information is available about its cold tolerance. It has been a perennial for me in northernmost zone 9a and zone 10b.
This plant is uncommon in the nursery trade. It may be found in specialty catalogs. It is propagated easily by seeds. I have seen no volunteer seedlings in my gardens but they germinate readily in pots.
Unfortunately, this is not a vigorous plant in my upper zone 9a garden. It grew better for me when I lived in Miami. In zone 9a, the plant dies to the ground in early November and resprouts in mid- to late May. It has survived temperatures in the upper 20's F. It flowers from July to September. Over three years, a dozen plants died out. I suspect it would grow in an better soil or with regular irrigation.