Mirabilis Jalapa.  Four-O’Clocks, or Common Marvel of Peru, are treated as annuals in most areas of the United States but they can be grown as perennials in tropical America.  The plants grow to a height of three feet and fresh blossoms open in the afternoon, hence the name Four-O’Clock.  The dark pink flowers are trumpet shaped, about one inch in diameter and one to two inches deep. 

Sow seeds in a sunny location where plants are to grow.  The seed will germinate in 10 to 15 days.  Four-O’Clocks were grown in tropical America in 1596.

Heirloom seeds are collected from the gardens and grounds of George Washington's Mount Vernon and cleaned and packaged by hand.