Four o´clock flower mixed is an attractive blend of the following colors: white, yellow, pink, and red. These colors occur in different variations and combinations on a single plant, and sometimes even in different variations and combinations within a single flower. The flower color can also change. It's therefore fitting that this plant's other names is Marvel of Peru. Other common names of this plant are Heart-leaf four-o'clock, snotweed, umbrella-wort, false jalap and pretty-by night. The Latin name for this plant, Mirabilis, means "wonderful." This plant blooms with large trumpet-shaped flowers that grow on sturdy stems and are surrounded by dark green leaves. Four o´clock flower doesn't open until after 4:00 PM. This means that Four o´clock flower primarily attracts moths, which pollinate the plant. The flowers of Four o´clock flower don't close again until the next morning. The flowers have a very strong scent, but the fragrance diminishes considerably towards the end of the night. The fact that this plant is primarily visible and fragrant at night ensures that everyone who grows it can enjoy its flowers and fragrance in the evening and at night. The plant's scent attracts bees and, more importantly, moths. Remove spent flowers regularly to enjoy these flowers all summer long.
Four o´clock flower is native to Central and South America, in the following countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Four o´clock flower is a member of the Four O'Clock family (Nyctaginaceae), along with: Saltbush, Bougainvillea, Brittle Thorn, Sand Verbena, Trailing Four O'Clock, Ringstem, Tarvine, Devil's Bouquet, Okenia, Small-Flowered Sand Verbena, Reichenbachia, and Mauka. These are almost all plants and shrubs that have various brightly colored flowers. Only Mauka is an edible root vegetable. Four o´clock flowr can also be grown in large pots. Although Four o´clock flower is a perennial, in our climate (the Netherlands and Belgium) it is mainly grown as a non-hardy annual. Remove spent flowers regularly. This plant is very attractive to all kinds of beneficial insects, including a large number of moths. Four o´clock flower flowers from July till October. Non hardy perennial. Height: 60 - 150 cm.
Note: the seeds, rhizomes, and leaves of this plant are poisonous!
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: April - May
Germination: 7 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Distance between rows: 25 cm
Planting distance: 30 - 40 cm
Plant position: sunny
Flowering period: July - October
Sow indoors from mid-March in trays filled with well-moistened potting soil. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil, as the Four o´clock flower germinates in the dark. Keep the soil moist but not too wet during germination. Maintain a consistent temperature, especially at night. Cover the trays with a lid or plastic wrap to retain moisture. Remove the lid once the seedlings emerge.
From mid-April, the young seedlings can be placed outside during the day for about 10 - 14 days to harden off. After this period, place them in a sunny, well-drained spot. Allow about 30 - 40 cm between plants.
Sow outdoors from mid-April, once there is no longer any risk of night frost, in a sunny, well-drained spot. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30 - 40 cm. Keep the plants moist. Don´t allow the Four o´clock plants to dry out. Because this plant smells wonderful, especially in the evening and at night, it is very attractive to moths.