20 Pcs Beautiful (FL114) Four O Clock Flower Seeds-MIRABILIS JALAPA

Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower, is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis plant, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is the state capital of Veracruz in México. 

 Four o'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are bushy flowering perennial plants, a long-standing garden favorite often grown as an annual outside its hardiness range (zones 9 to 11). This tuberous-rooted plant produces opposite, slightly pointed oval leaves on multi-branching stems. It is an unusual plant, in that it may produce flowers of different colors on the same plant—including white, yellow, and a variety of pink, red, and magenta colors. Individual flowers may also feature a mixture of colors. The plant can be expected to bloom from mid-summer all the way until frost.

The 2-inch-long flowers have five petals and are trumpet-shaped; they typically bloom in the late afternoon, from about 4:00 to 8:00 pm, although on cloudy days they may not bloom at all. This quick-growing plant often sprawls in the garden. It is often used in mixed border gardens, or in containers on decks and patios. Since four o'clocks bloom in the evening, plant them where you’re sure to see them and catch a whiff of their fragrance. Place pots on decks or plant along walkways and on the edges of seating areas. They mingle and grow through other plants nicely, making a nice underplanting. Hummingbirds will visit your garden because they are attracted to four o' clock's tubular flowers.

• Botanical Name: Mirabilis jalapa, Synonym: Mirabilis lindheimeri

• Common Name: Four o'clock, marvel of Peru, umbrellawort

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

• Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet in height, similar spread

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

• Soil Type: Tolerates a wide range of soils

• Soil pH: 6 to 7 (neutral to slightly acidic)

• Bloom Time: June through first frost

• Flower Color: Pink, rose, red, magenta, yellow, white

• Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11 (USDA)

• Native Area: Peru

How to Grow Four O'Clocks

Four o'clocks can be directly seeded into the garden, or planted from nursery seedlings or tubers. If planting from seeds, sow them in the garden 1/4 inch deep just before the last frost. Seedlings or tubers can be planted just after last frost. Plant them in just about any soil type, in a full sun to part shade location. Space them 1 to 2 feet apart. They are heavy feeders, so rich, humusy soil is best; expect to feed them regularly in less ideal soils.

Keep four o'clocks moist. mulch around the plants, to keep the soil moist and the plants blooming. Feeding with an all-purpose fertilizer once a month will keep them blooming profusely. After the plant is done blooming in fall, the tuberous roots can be dug up and stored for winter, then replanted the following spring.

Light

Four o' clocks thrive in full sun (6 hours per day) but will tolerate part shade, although the plants may be somewhat leggy in shady locations.

Soil

Any soil types will suffice, but rich, humusy soil is ideal. Prefers neutral to slightly acidic pH levels.

Water

Do not let these plants dry out; water whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry.

Temperature and Humidity

Mirabilis jalapa is native to Peru, and it prefers warm but relatively dry air conditions, but moist soil.

Fertilizer

A monthly application of organic fertilizer will keep four o'clocks blooming vigorously. Less robust soils may require more frequent feeding.

Toxicity of Four O' Clocks

The seeds of four o' clocks are poisonous if ingested.

Pruning

Pinch back the main shoot when the transplant is young to promote a bushier plant and more flowering. In drier seasons, when the plants can get a little ragged looking, a shearing back by about 1/3 will refresh them. Because four o’ clocks bloom so profusely, keeping them deadheaded is all but impossible, and they don’t really need it to keep blooming.

Being Grown in Containers

When planted in containers, four o' clocks require a large pot filled with general-purpose potting soil (not garden soil). Plants in containers will need more frequent watering and feeding than those in the garden. Feed twice monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer.

Growing From Seeds

These plants can be sown directly in the garden just before the last frost of the winter or spring. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep. If growing your own seedlings indoors, start them 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. Chances are good that if you allow your plants to go to seed in the fall, they will self-seed in the garden. Seedlings can be easily pulled and moved to another section

Common Problems

Four o' clocks tend to be very pest and disease resistant. However, rusts, (white rust and brown rust) and some leaf spot diseases can affect the foliage