Marvel Of Peru
(Mirabilis jalapa)
Marvel Of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa)
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Khalid Mahmood Wikipedia
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Photo by: Khalid Mahmood Wikipedia | License Type: Public domain | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/ | Uploader: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Gul-Abas-4-O'clock_plant.JPG | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Mirabilis jalapa, commonly known as the marvel of Peru or four o’clock flower, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Mexico and Central America. It is bushy and typically reaches about 1 meter in height. The species is notable for its colorful and fragrant flowers that open in the late afternoon or at dusk, hence the name "four o’clock flower." Flower colors include yellow, pink, white, and sometimes a mix on the same plant, with some varieties changing color as they mature. The flowers emit a strong, sweet fragrance at night and close in the morning, with new blooms opening the following day. Introduced to Europe in 1525, it is now widespread in many tropical regions and appreciated in Europe as an ornamental plant that is not hardy to cold.
The marvel of Peru thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers light, humus-rich, well-draining soil with a neutral pH. It is easy to grow and can be sown from mid-February to May, with seeds germinating rapidly at 18°C. While the leaves may wither in intense sunlight, they recover in the evening as temperatures drop. The plant is sensitive to cold, with aerial parts dying back at the first frost, but the underground tubers can resprout in spring. It can be invasive, spreading rapidly through self-seeding if not managed. In North America, it perennializes in warm coastal areas, particularly in USDA zones 7–10. Pot cultivation is possible using a mix of 80% soil and 20% garden soil in a deep container, with tubers planted at a depth of 10 cm. It is often used in borders, as a ground cover, or in containers for its ornamental flowers and fragrance.CC BY-SA 4.0
The marvel of Peru thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers light, humus-rich, well-draining soil with a neutral pH. It is easy to grow and can be sown from mid-February to May, with seeds germinating rapidly at 18°C. While the leaves may wither in intense sunlight, they recover in the evening as temperatures drop. The plant is sensitive to cold, with aerial parts dying back at the first frost, but the underground tubers can resprout in spring. It can be invasive, spreading rapidly through self-seeding if not managed. In North America, it perennializes in warm coastal areas, particularly in USDA zones 7–10. Pot cultivation is possible using a mix of 80% soil and 20% garden soil in a deep container, with tubers planted at a depth of 10 cm. It is often used in borders, as a ground cover, or in containers for its ornamental flowers and fragrance.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb, Subshrub
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to tropical South America
Other Names
Common Names: Beauty-Of-The-Night, Marvel Of Peru, Marvel-Of-Peru, Vieruurtjie, Sheb Al-Leil, Buenas Tardes, Belle-De-Nuit, Bella Di Notte, Nachtschone, Underblomma
Scientific Names: , Mirabilis jalapa, Mirabilis uniflora, Mirabilis dichotoma, Mirabilis jalapa var. jalapa, Mirabilis hybrida, Mirabilis lindheimeri, Nyctago jalapae, Mirabilis divaricata, Mirabilis jalapa subsp. volcanica
GBIF Accepted Name: Mirabilis jalapa L.