Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis jalapa, Marvel of Peru, is an extremely easy-to-grow plant which has the curious ability to have more than one different-coloured flower on the same plant. Likewise, single flowers may also be multi-coloured. It has large attractive foliage and a vigourous fast-growing habit, quickly forming a small tropical-looking and very floriferous bush. The long-throated flowers open late in the afternoon and close again the following morning giving rise to its other name, the Four O'Clock Flower.

It prefers full sun and although it is perfectly capable of going for relatively long periods without water it should be well watered throughout the summer which will encourage its rapid growth and create a lush-looking plant. It develops tough tuberous roots and after the leaves have been hit by the first frosts it is these roots that survive through the winter, the foliage growing again herbaceously in the spring.

An easy low-maintenance plant that works well with other flowering exotics.