Four O’ Clock
Loved by hummingbirds, these flowers bloom from midsummer until frost. Four O’ Clocks are easy to maintain and are a good ‘working’ flower as they are an excellent trap crop for Japanese beetles!
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Cottage Garden |
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Mirabilis jalapa |
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Can be used as a trap crop |
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Easy |
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Easy |
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2 years if properly stored |
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Annual, Perennial |
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7-10 days |
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30” |
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Full sun |
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60-65 days |
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March, April and May |
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Yes |
Growing Tips
When to Start
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. (Mid-Feb – Mid-Mar for Jefferson, GA)
Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed. Soak seeds overnight to aid germination. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Start
Soak seeds overnight to aid germination. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in spring. (March for GA.) Transplant after hardening off and the danger of frost has passed. Or direct sow ¼ inch deep into full sun, well-draining soil after the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA) Thin or space to 12-18 inches.
Loved by hummingbirds, these flowers bloom from midsummer until frost. They get their name as they bloom around 4:00 each day. The bloom times are said to correspond to changes in light and temperature. So, they open in the cool of the evening. Typically 4-8 pm or earlier on cloudy days.
Care
They are drought tolerant and need little care, other than cleaning up in the fall and thinning as they are prolific self-seeders and can be aggressive if not maintained.
Trap Crop
Four O’ Clocks also make a good trap crop for Japanese beetles. If you struggle with Japanese beetles try one of the three methods of trap cropping to help control these pests!
Special Note:
Plants and seeds are poisonous if ingested.
My personal experience
I find four o’ clocks very attractive. They attract hummingbirds, which are fun to watch. And once established I don’t do anything–not even water them. Well, every once and a while I’ll thin them out a bit as they will spread. They also make a good companion plant as the Japanese beetles prefer to eat the four o’ clocks over things like blackberries and okra.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect and hummingbird dependent for pollination. Isolate by ½ mile or cage or bag blooms to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.
Allow the flowers to mature on the plant. As the flowers fade they are replaced by a dark, barrel-shaped seed. The seeds are difficult to find once they fall to the ground. You can use mesh bags to cover the flowers to keep the seed from falling to the ground. Or, wearing gloves, gently remove the seed from the flower.
The seeds can cause skin irritation, so wearing gloves when handling them is recommended.
Look through the seeds and throw away any with signs of cra,cks, mold, or other signs of damage.
Features
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Attracts pollinators
- Fragrant
- Deer resistant
- Easy maintenance
- Container friendly
- Drought tolerant
- Can be used as a trap crop
Soak seeds overnight to aid germination.