Mirabilis, Four o'Clocks, Marvel of Peru 'Limelight'

Mirabilisjalapa

Family
Nyctaginaceae (nyk-taj-i-NAY-see-ee)
Genus
Mirabilis (mih-RAB-ih-liss)
Species
jalapa (juh-LAP-a)
Synonym
Mirabilis jalapa subsp. lindheimeri
Mirabilis lindheimeri
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Red
Bright Yellow
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Chartreuse/Yellow
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Regional

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

Saint David, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Elk Grove, California

Sunnyvale, California

New Haven, Connecticut

Brandon, Florida

Deland, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Waltham, Massachusetts

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Mount Orab, Ohio

Orrville, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma(2 reports)

North Augusta, South Carolina

Lafayette, Tennessee

Buckley, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Appleton, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
B
Waltham, MA | September 2014 | positive

I've grown these beautiful flowers for the last 3 years in Waltham, MA. Originally started indoors from seed, I dig up the black tubers a...Read More

S
| October 2009 | positive

Had excellent results growing these beautifully coloured plants.
Was very surprised by the large black tuber they created. Have du...Read More

M
DeLand/Deleon Springs, FL (Zone 8b) | December 2008 | positive

Was given 6seeds of this variety, and the all germinated in less than a week. Have them planted in dappled shade to sun in the afternoon....Read More

N
West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) | August 2006 | positive

I never had much success with mirabilis, but this one is doing very well for me this summer. The leaves stayed lime colored all season an...Read More

S
(GayLynn) Appleton, WI (Zone 5a) | September 2005 | positive

I also have found they do not like the hot, hot glaring sun without moisture. They will wilt. I have also found that the bugs do prefer...Read More

R
Snohomish County, WA (Zone 8b) | July 2005 | neutral

I had great success sowing seeds in situ this spring, it seems most all of them have germinated (great plant for kids), however I noticed...Read More

C
West Kill, NY | September 2004 | neutral

I planted some seeds directly in containers on my front porch Memorial Day weekend. I have never had much success with four o'clocks in ...Read More

U
Orrville, OH (Zone 6a) | September 2004 | positive

I'm in zone 5/6 in central ohio and I've had lots of success with four o'clocks. Seems like I and many of my neighbors have mini microclimates.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2003 | positive

A unique, heirloom variety; one source says it's the sole surviving color of 'Foliis-Variegatis' which was lost in the late 1800s. 'Lime...Read More

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