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Four O'Clocks

mirabilis jalapa

Description:

1 1/2 inch diameter flower on a 3 foot tall "weed"; very fragrant

Habitat:

spotted on the side of a dirt road in a vacant lot

Notes:

Dang if you don't learn something new EVERY time you go to this site! I've known four o'clocks forever but only as the fragrant near-purple flowers that bloom in the late afternoon. These yellow and varigated blooms were real exciting to see. Then I find out that...well, see the reference link; really interesting.

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8 Comments

MariaPomsaharova
MariaPomsaharova 11 years ago

lovely. the first spotting is interesting, half yellow, half pink, well done nature! :)

auntnance123
auntnance123 11 years ago

Thank you, Courtney. They are the most striking flowers. These plants return every year from tuberous roots. This particular one has produced only yellow flowers this year; maybe they're just moody that way.

CourtneyVerk
CourtneyVerk 11 years ago

Such amazing flowers! Nice spotting.

AnnaWhipkey
AnnaWhipkey 12 years ago

AtomicAnti, I grew up in South Bend, IN and we did the same thing, grew them every year from seed we saved. The black seeds looked like little hand grenades to me.

IanMichaelIleto
IanMichaelIleto 12 years ago

I trim a wayward branch every two weeks. It doesn't seem to affect the blooming. Plus trimming keeps the plant in shape and in place.

auntnance123
auntnance123 12 years ago

Ian, Iknow what you mean about 'overgrowing': the patch I have threatens to engulf the fig tree every year. And the smell rivals even the confederate jasmine.

IanMichaelIleto
IanMichaelIleto 12 years ago

Lucky for us here, for this plant grows all year round! One just have to constantly trim these fragrant ornamental to keep its shape and prevent from "overgrowing". And yes, I also look forward to late afternoons to stop and smell these flowers!

AtomicAnti
AtomicAnti 12 years ago

I grew a patch of these every year as a kid (in NW Indiana near Chicago), using the seeds from the prior year. The seeds are so easy to save on these plants. It is my favorite flower smell ever. I would look forward to late afternoons in the summer when they would open up. I think I may go get some seeds and grow some again!

auntnance123
Spotted by
auntnance123

Florida, USA

Spotted on May 6, 2011
Submitted on May 7, 2011

Spotted for Mission

Related Spottings

Flor de nit Wild four-o'-clock Four O'clocks Four O'clock

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Reference

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