Four o’clock flower
Four o’clock flower: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
The four o’clock flower, Mirabilis jalapa, is an ornamental plant in the four o’clock family, Nyctaginaceae, originating from tropical regions of the Americas. It is a perennial with swollen storage roots, but is often grown as an annual where winters are cold. Its common name refers to flowers opening late in the afternoon or evening. This daily rhythm adds another dimension to a border as other garden flowers begin to close.The plant forms an upright, branching clump with considerable width. Its height often approaches a metre, although the selection, growing season and garden conditions all influence its size. Green leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. They range from oval to triangular, with pointed tips and smooth edges. The overall outline is loose and almost shrubby during the growing season. Below ground, elongated swollen roots store reserves; these structures are not true bulbs.The flowers resemble small trumpets and appear…
