Four O'Clock Broken Colors Seeds 2g - Botanical Interests Fragrant Evening Blooming Flowers

Botanical Interests Four O'Clock Broken Colors - Fragrant Evening Blooming Flower Seeds

Enjoy enchanting evening fragrance and multicolored blooms with Botanical Interests Four O'Clock Broken Colors Seeds. This charming heirloom variety (Mirabilis jalapa) produces stunning flowers in a kaleidoscope of colors - often with multiple colors on the same plant or even the same flower - that open in late afternoon and release sweet fragrance into the evening air.

Why Choose Four O'Clock Broken Colors?

• Multicolored Blooms: Stunning mix of pink, yellow, white, red, and bicolors on same plant
• Fragrant Flowers: Sweet evening fragrance fills the garden
• Evening Bloomer: Flowers open around 4 PM (hence the name)
• Attracts Pollinators: Draws hummingbirds, sphinx moths, and night pollinators
• Easy to Grow: Perfect for beginning gardeners
• Drought Tolerant: Thrives in dry conditions once established
• Heat Tolerant: Performs well in hot summer weather
• Self-Sowing: Returns year after year from dropped seeds
• Low Maintenance: Minimal care required

Product Specifications

• Brand: Botanical Interests
• Variety: Four O'Clock Broken Colors (Mirabilis jalapa)
• Packet Size: 2 grams
• Type: Annual (perennial in zones 9-11)
• Plant Height: 2-3 feet
• Spread: 1-2 feet
• Flower Size: 1-2 inches diameter
• Flower Colors: Pink, yellow, white, red, magenta, and bicolors
• Days to Bloom: 60-75 days from seed
• Bloom Time: Late afternoon through morning, summer through frost
• Item # 6821

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil
• Temperature: Warm-season annual; plant after last frost
• Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
• Spacing: 12-18 inches apart
• pH: 6.0-7.5 (adaptable)

How to Grow Four O'Clock Broken Colors

1. When to Plant: Direct sow outdoors after last frost when soil has warmed
2. Seed Preparation: Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed germination
3. Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep
4. Germination: Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 70-75°F
5. Thinning: Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart
6. Watering: Water regularly until established; then water only during dry spells
7. Fertilizing: Minimal fertilizer needed; too much reduces flowering
8. Deadheading: Not necessary - flowers drop naturally
9. Harvesting Seeds: Allow some flowers to form black seeds for next year

Stunning Multicolored Blooms

Four O'Clock Broken Colors is famous for its incredible color variation. A single plant can produce flowers in multiple colors, and individual flowers may display stripes, sectors, or splashes of different colors. Common color combinations include:

• Pink and yellow bicolors
• Red and white stripes
• Magenta and yellow sectors
• Solid pink, yellow, white, or red
• Marbled and mottled patterns

No two plants are exactly alike, creating a unique display in every garden.

Enchanting Evening Fragrance

Four O'Clocks release a sweet, intoxicating fragrance in the evening hours. The scent is strongest from late afternoon through the night, making them perfect for:

• Evening gardens and patios
• Near outdoor seating areas
• Along walkways used in evening
• Bedroom windows for nighttime fragrance

Unique Evening Blooming Habit

True to their name, Four O'Clocks open around 4 PM (though timing varies with temperature and light). The flowers:

• Remain closed during hot daytime hours
• Open in late afternoon (typically 4-6 PM)
• Stay open through the night
• Close the following morning
• Repeat daily throughout the season

This unique habit makes them perfect for gardeners who enjoy their gardens in the evening.

Attracts Evening Pollinators

Four O'Clocks are magnets for evening pollinators:

• Hummingbirds: Visit flowers in late afternoon
• Sphinx Moths: Night-flying moths pollinate fragrant blooms
• Other Night Pollinators: Various moths and insects

Easy to Grow from Seed

Four O'Clocks are among the easiest flowers to grow:

• Large seeds are easy to handle
• Germinate quickly and reliably
• Tolerate poor soil and drought
• Require minimal care
• Perfect for children's gardens

Drought & Heat Tolerant

Once established, Four O'Clocks are extremely drought and heat tolerant:

• Thrive in hot, dry conditions
• Require minimal watering
• Perfect for water-wise gardens
• Ideal for low-maintenance landscapes
• Actually prefer lean, dry soil

Self-Sowing Annual

Four O'Clocks readily self-sow in favorable conditions:

• Form large black seeds after flowering
• Seeds drop and germinate the following spring
• May return year after year
• Creates naturalized cottage garden effect
• Easy to control by removing unwanted seedlings

Tuberous Roots

Four O'Clocks form tuberous roots that can be:

• Left in ground in zones 9-11 (perennial)
• Dug and stored like dahlias in colder zones
• Replanted in spring for earlier blooms
• Divided to create more plants

Ideal Garden Uses

• Evening Gardens: Dedicated beds for evening enjoyment
• Cottage Gardens: Informal, romantic plantings
• Mixed Borders: Mid-border height and color
• Fragrance Gardens: Evening scent displays
• Hummingbird Gardens: Attract hummingbirds
• Children's Gardens: Easy to grow, fun to watch open
• Container Gardens: Pots for patios and decks

Companion Planting

Four O'Clock Broken Colors pairs beautifully with other evening bloomers and fragrant flowers including moonflowers, evening primrose, nicotiana, petunias, and night-blooming jasmine.

Historical & Cultural Significance

Four O'Clocks are heirloom flowers that have been grown in gardens for centuries. Native to Peru, they were brought to Europe in the 1500s and have been beloved garden plants ever since.

Why Botanical Interests Seeds?

Botanical Interests is committed to providing high-quality seeds with detailed growing instructions and beautiful, artistic packaging. Their seeds are tested for germination and purity, ensuring gardening success.

Order Botanical Interests Four O'Clock Broken Colors Seeds 2g today and grow enchanting multicolored flowers that open in late afternoon with sweet evening fragrance - perfect for evening gardens, attracting hummingbirds, and easy-care beauty!