Four O’Clocks grow easily into big framed, multi-branching plants. At midsummer they revive the garden with fresh green foliage and starry 2 inch trumpets in shades of yellow, white, bright magenta and pale pink. The fluted blossoms open in the late afternoon, releasing a soft jasmine fragrance that floats on summer breezes just when other flowers seem to languish in the heat. Plant where you’ll walk or sit to enjoy their delicious perfume.

(Mirabilis jalapa)

Product Weight: 3.5 grams / approximately 35-40 seeds

Plant Type: Annual

Bloom Color: Yellow, white, magenta, light pink 

Grows Best In: Full to Part Sun

Bloom Period: Summer / Fall

Growth Habit: bush

Days to Seed Germination: 10-12days

Seed Planting Depth: 1.5 cm (1/2")

Growing Height: 60-90 cm (24-36")

Planting Instructions:

EASIEST TO START OUTDOORS

Plant in full sun in ordinary garden soil when spring weather is warm and settled and danger of frost is past. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1/2 inch deep, 4 to 5 inches apart. Firm soil over seeds. Keep moist until seedlings emerge in 10 to 12 days.

TO START EARLY INDOORS

Seeds can be started indoors about 4 weeks before last expected frost, but since Four O’Clocks grow so quickly, we advise sowing directly into the garden in all but very short summer areas.

THIN OR TRANSPLANT

Space seedlings 12 to 14 inches apart when they are large enough to handle so plants have ample room to mature.

GROWING NOTES

Vigorous, free blooming Four O’Clocks grow quickly and will effortlessly fill in borders or large open areas to bloom in the afternoons and evenings beginning in midsummer. In mild climates, they self-sow readily, so remove the seed pods before seeds fall to the ground if you don’t want plants to spread around the garden.