Four O'clock

Planted at Mount Vernon

Upper Garden

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

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.

Purchase

Seeds available to purchase from Mount Vernon

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Latin Name

Mirabilis jalapa

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Also Known As

Marvel of Peru

Type of Plant

Annuals

Bloom Season

June - October

Seasons

Summer

Fall

Specifications

Max Height: 3'

Max Spread: 3'

Attracted Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Toxicity

Do not ingest

Skin irritant

Colors

Native Range

Tropical America

History

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

Other Details

Pollinator

Sold at Mount Vernon

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.