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Named for the time of day the bloom opens, four o'clocks will attract hummingbirds and nocturnal pollinators to your garden. This bushy plant reseeds readily, producing hundreds of large black seeds that resemble hand grenades.

Latin Name

Mirabilis jalapa


Family

Nyctaginaceae


Also Known As

Marvel of Peru


Type of Plant

Annuals Annuals

Bloom Season

June - October

Seasons

Summer Summer
Fall Fall

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 3'
Max spread Max Spread: 3'

Uses

  • Annual
  • Flower Border
  • Rain Garden

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Rabbit
  • Wet Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Toxicity

    Do not ingest Do not ingest
    Skin irritant Skin irritant

    Colors


    Native Range

    Tropical America


    History

    At Monticello, Thomas Jefferson observed in 1767, "Mirabilis just opened, very clever."


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Sold at Mount Vernon Sold at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    9a 9b 10a 10b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 9a 9b 10a 10b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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