Fundy Red Four O'Clock (Mirabilis jalapa) A native species of South America often called ‘Marvel of Peru’, it is the most commonly grown ornamental species of the Mirabilis genus. Europeans first brought the seeds back in the mid 1500’s. Roots were traditionally used by indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes, as a hallucinogen and aphrodisiac. The trumpet shaped flowers produce an edible red dye that can be used as a natural food colouring. This old-fashioned garden ornamental is a tender perennial, hardy to Zones 7b but considered an annual throughout most of Canada and the US. The very fragrant flowers of this plant species do not typically open until late in the afternoon in combination with the lower sun intensity and air temperature and remain open into the night. Hummingbird moths and bat species will frequently visit the perfume scented blooms. The aroma is quite intoxicating and should be bottled up as a jasmine-like fragrance! Ideal for beds, borders and pollinator gardens. Plants mature at about 16-20 inches tall, about half the height of the Tall Four O’Clock species. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
15 seeds per packet $4.45
Planting Instructions: Direct sow in garden at 1/4" depth after the soil has thoroughly warmed past 15 C. in the late spring. Can be started indoors 4-6 weeks ahead of last frost. Keep soil trays at 20 C. Expect germination in 7-14 days. Line out plants in a sunny location and space at 18" apart. Plants are somewhat drought tolerant but evenly moist soils will produce fully branched plants. Seeds can be pre-soaked and scarified 12 hours before sowing both indoors or outside to increase germination.
