If you appreciate captivating scents, plant the four o’clock flower near your terrace.
This plant will not fail to delight you.
It will add a magical touch to your summer dinners.
Four o’clock flowers, dreamy blooms!
The four o’clock flower, known by its Latin name Mirabilis jalapa, comes from the tropical regions of Central America and South America.
It can be found in Guatemala, Mexico, Chile, and Peru, earning it the nickname Marvel of Peru.
Introduced to Europe in the 16th century, this plant was named by the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
The term “Mirabilis” means “admirable,” due to the magnificent shades of its flowers.
The colors range from yellow, cream, pink, purple, to yellow and red variegations.
The four o’clock flower has naturalized in many regions, including the United States, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
In France, it is mainly found along the coast and on the island of Reunion.
This plant forms a bush that measures between 50 and 80 cm.
It is covered with small multicolored flowers that open in the late afternoon.
Although these flowers only last a day, they constantly renew from June to the first frosts.
Pollinators, such as moths, particularly enjoy these late-blooming flowers.
Sowing or Planting?
The four o’clock flower is a tuberous perennial.
You have the choice between sowing or planting.
For sowing, prefer the month of April.
Opt for a sunny or slightly shaded location.
Well-drained soil is essential.
To obtain mature plants in the first year, you can plant tubers.
These tubers are often available from bulb merchants.
In cold regions, it is recommended to protect the roots in November.
Alternatively, you can bring in the tubers, as you would with dahlias.
In the Mediterranean region, along the coast, and in urban areas, this protection is generally not necessary.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -10, or even -12 °C.
In these mild conditions, it behaves like a perennial plant.
If it establishes well, it can become almost invasive.
Four o’clock flowers: a wise choice for your garden
The four o’clock flower is not lacking in exceptional qualities.
Its abundant flowering throughout the summer and rapid growth make it an ideal choice to beautify your garden.
It easily self-seeds and can even end up in your neighbors’ gardens.
If you have the opportunity to sow or plant it in front of your house, it is perfect for you!
In some regions, it elegantly decorates sunny facades.
Used as a border or in a bed, it quickly fills in gaps.
Choosing the four o’clock flower ensures a colorful and lively garden.
Create beautiful pots with a container at least 40 cm in diameter.
It thrives even in challenging conditions, such as pollution, sea spray, and wind.
The four o’clock flower proves to be a versatile and resilient plant.
Over the months… babies galore
If you have plants of different colors, expect colorful surprises.
The plants will hybridize, resulting in spontaneous seedlings.
The seeds mature over the months.
They fall to the ground and quickly germinate, sometimes as early as the end of summer, near the mother plant.
Wait until the following spring to remove the seedlings.
Transplant them into the ground or pots, in the sun.
You can also monitor the seeds.
In August, the first seeds are well ripe.
Collect them to sow elsewhere, in the sun or partial shade.
Well-drained soil is essential for their growth.
In mild climates, you can sow them immediately.
The plants will germinate the following spring.
In other regions, let the seeds dry in the sun for an hour or two.
Store them in a paper envelope.
Sow them in March or April of the following year.
The seeds should be barely buried.
They will bloom a few months later.
Over the years, they will form tubers.
These tubers can be divided, as with dahlias.
This division allows you to choose the desired color.
With sowing, the element of surprise is guaranteed!
Associate the four o’clock flowers with other flowers.
This attracts pollinators and promotes biodiversity in your garden.
Four o’clock flowers: enchanted floral associations
The four o’clock flower thrives alongside other plants that also enjoy dusk.
Pair it with fragrant evening primroses, such as Oenothera stricta.
These perennials self-seed easily.
Their lemon yellow flowers open in the morning, before sunrise.
They close, then bloom again in the evening, becoming almost phosphorescent.
Like the four o’clock flower, the blooming only lasts a day, but it is abundant from May to the first frosts.
There are remarkable cultivars, such as ‘Sulphurea’ and ‘Apricot Delight’.
The night-blooming jasmine, known as Cestrum nocturnum, emits an exquisite fragrance.
Its scent unfolds from dusk until morning.
Although its flowers are insignificant, their fragrance is captivating.
This shrub can reach 2 to 3 meters in height.
It is best grown in a container, as it is not hardy.
In winter, place it in a greenhouse or a bright, unheated room.
This way, it will thrive throughout the year.
