Four O' Clock 'Stars & Stripes'

Mirabilisjalapa

Family
Nyctaginaceae (nyk-taj-i-NAY-see-ee)
Genus
Mirabilis (mih-RAB-ih-liss)
Species
jalapa (juh-LAP-a)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Rose/Mauve
Magenta (pink-purple)
Red
Scarlet (dark red)
Coral/Apricot
Orange
Red-Orange
Gold (yellow-orange)
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Mission Viejo, California

Pensacola, Florida

Chillicothe, Illinois

Carmel, Indiana

Waxhaw, North Carolina

Gresham, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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T
(Zone 10b) | October 2021 | neutral

Very invasive. Pops out everywhere in my garden and then it dies back in the winter. Not sure why as we're in zone 10a. I'm only giving i...Read More

F
Brooksville, FL | May 2010 | positive

This plant is a winner so long as you don't mind how readily it reseeds. New ones pop up everywhere ! It has a beautiful scent that fil...Read More

S
Questa, NM (Zone 5b) | April 2009 | neutral

Pinetree Gardens says this about 'Stars & Stripes':

A quite different Four O'Clock. Most of the blooms are striped bi-colo...Read More

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