Mirabilis jalapa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mih-RAB-ih-liss jah-LAHP-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Four-o’clock is a deciduous, semi-woody perennial in the four-o’clock family (Nyctaginaceae). It is native from Mexico to Central America and can be grown as an annual in western North Carolina but as a perennial in most Piedmont or coastal gardens. The genus name comes from the Latin word meaning wonderful. The specific epithet refers to Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
Four-o’clock can be grown in most soils and partial shade but prefers full sun and moist to occasionally wet, well-drained humus-rich soil. The plants grow 18 inches to 4 feet tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. Propagate by division or seed. To speed germination, soak the seeds in water overnight. Old plants produce large, potato-like tuberous roots that can be dug before the first freeze in the fall to store indoors and plant again in spring after the last frost. In Zone 8 or 9, the tuberous roots can be left in the ground and will regrow in spring.
This plant’s fragrant flowers open in the afternoon or early evening and are pollinated by hummingbirds and moths, making it a perfect addition to a nighttime or pollinator garden. Place it near a patio or pool where you can smell its fragrance.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. The plants can self-seed vigorously and become weedy.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Mirabilis
- Species:
- jalapa
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Central America
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are visited by hummingbirds and moths
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderate drought tolerance.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- fruit leathery, 5-ribbed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Description:
- flowers opening late in the afternoon or in very cloudy weather, white to red, yellow or striped, tubular and trumpet-like, 5-lobed
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
