The four o’clock flower opens its colourful blooms in the evening
The four o’clock flower truly lives up to its name: its funnel-shaped flowers can appear in white, yellow, pink, red and purple, and sometimes even show different colours or markings on the same plant.
Mirabilis jalapa develops into a vigorous, densely branched summer flower with fresh green, heart-shaped leaves. Its flowers usually open only in the late afternoon, in the evening or in overcast weather. This makes it a lovely choice for seating areas, patios and balconies, where its flowers come into their own just as the gardening day is slowly drawing to a close.
Native to tropical America, the four o’clock flower is usually grown as an annual in our climate. In a warm position, it grows bushy and can reach an impressive height, depending on soil and care. It is suitable for sunny beds as well as large tubs and planters. Its late-opening flowers are visited by night-flying moths, among others.
The four o’clock flower is also botanically remarkable. Around 1900, Carl Correns used it as one of the plants on which phenomena of inheritance and the rediscovered Mendelian laws were studied. Its changing flower colours are therefore not only an attractive garden effect, but also made Mirabilis jalapa a well-known plant in the history of genetics.
Sowing & care of the four o’clock flower
For early flowering, four o’clock flower seeds can be started indoors from March. As the seeds have a firm seed coat, they can be soaked in lukewarm water for around 24 hours before sowing. Then place them about 1 cm deep in moist, well-drained seed compost and keep evenly moist at around 18 to 20 °C. Germination usually takes place within 10 to 14 days.
After the last frosts, the young plants can be planted outdoors or in large tubs from mid-May. Direct sowing is also possible from mid-May. The plants prefer a sunny to partially shaded, preferably sheltered position and a humus-rich, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
Water regularly, but avoid waterlogging. A planting distance of around 50 to 70 cm gives the bushy plants enough space. The root tubers that form in autumn are not frost-hardy, but can be lifted and overwintered frost-free in a similar way to dahlias.
Sowing & care of the four o’clock flower
For early flowering, four o’clock flower seeds can be started indoors from March. As the seeds have a firm seed coat, they can be soaked in lukewarm water for around 24 hours before sowing. Then place them about 1 cm deep in moist, well-drained seed compost and keep evenly moist at around 18 to 20 °C. Germination usually takes place within 10 to 14 days.
After the last frosts, the young plants can be planted outdoors or in large tubs from mid-May. Direct sowing is also possible from mid-May. The plants prefer a sunny to partially shaded, preferably sheltered position and humus-rich, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.
Water regularly, but avoid waterlogging. A planting distance of around 50 to 70 cm gives the bushy plants enough space. The root tubers that form in autumn are not frost-hardy, but can be lifted and overwintered frost-free in a similar way to dahlias.
Other names
| Botanical name: |
Mirabilis jalapa |
| German names: |
Wunderblume |
| English names: |
Four o’clock plant, Four o’clock flower, Marvel of Peru |
| Spanish names: |
Dondiego de noche, Dondiego, Bella de noche, Buenas tardes, Maravilla de noche, Maravilla del Perú |
| Italian names: |
Bella di notte; Mirabilis |
| Dutch names: |
Nachtschone |
