Utah State University

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Mirabilis multiflora

Common Name     Wild Four O'Clock


Family         Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock Family

 

Description
This flowering perennial reaches heights of 0.8 meters and bears brightly colored, petunia-like flowers. The foliage is great as a stand-alone attraction, but compliments (and doesn't detract from) the flowers nicely when in bloom.

Range
It is found in most of the warmer counties in Utah, and throughout the southwestern United States.

Culture
Needs well drained soil; very tap rooted and difficult to transplant once established.

Value
Mirabilis is a great perennial because you can get a several foot in diameter groundcover with beautiful purple, trumpet-like flowers in the second year after seeding. While the flowers fade by mid-morning, the blue-green leathery leaves are attractive in their own right. Not common in the trade.

Propagation
Because it's natural habitat is typically harsh and dry the seed of this species has dormancy in it to prevent it from germinating in unfavorable conditions. Therefore a hot water soak of hottest tap water for 48 hours is needed to start the seed indoors. Then rinse the seed and sow into a container. Cover to depth. Transplant May to June or in the early fall. To sow out doors sow seed in the fall in the desired location. Cover with ½" of soil and a small stone (2½"), as mice really like this seed. Start with 3 seeds per hole.

 

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A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.

        Aldo Leopold