Marvel of Peru (4 O'clock mix) seeds
These were cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal and ornamental use. The Marvel of Peru is a shrub-type plant that produces trumpet-shaped blooms that saturate the air with a sweet-smelling fragrance. It is said this plant earned its name as it opens around 4 pm every day. We are in mountain time, but we aren't able to verify this as fact. We noticed they bloomed early in the morning and later in the evening. Each plant produced new blooms, similar to morning glories.
We grew these next to our pumpkins and in containers around the property and we fell in love with them. These produced a mix of yellows, pinks, whites, magentas, and striped variations. This plant can reach about 3.5 feet and sometimes up to 4 depending on growing conditions. This is a perennial in warmer regions but can be grown annually in colder zones. These can be grown in a container, or anywhere where there is full sun and well-draining soil.
Seed count: 50
Botanic name:
Mirabilis jalapa
Plant spacing:
36 inches apart
Color:
Yellows, pinks, whites, magentas, and striped blooms
Sowing depth:
1/2 inch
Sun requirements:
Full sun
Utilization:
Attracting humming birds and for ornamental purposes.
Frost hardy:
No
Maturity days:
90 - 105 days
Life cycle:
Perennial
Can I start indoors:
Yes
Container friendly:
Yes
Other names:
Pearl of Egypt, Pretty by night, Japanese Wonder Flower, False Jalop