Four O'Clock Marvel of Peru Seeds 2g - Botanical Interests Fragrant Evening Blooming Heirloom Flowers

Botanical Interests Marvel of Peru (Four O'Clock) - Classic Fragrant Evening Blooming Heirloom Seeds

Enjoy enchanting evening fragrance and vibrant blooms with Botanical Interests Marvel of Peru Seeds. Also known as Four O'Clock, this beloved heirloom variety (Mirabilis jalapa) produces trumpet-shaped flowers in brilliant colors that open in late afternoon and release sweet, intoxicating fragrance into the evening air - a garden treasure since the 1500s.

Why Choose Marvel of Peru (Four O'Clock)?

• Vibrant Colors: Brilliant pink, yellow, white, red, and magenta blooms
• Intensely Fragrant: Sweet evening fragrance fills the garden
• Evening Bloomer: Flowers open around 4 PM daily
• Attracts Pollinators: Draws hummingbirds, sphinx moths, and night pollinators
• Classic Heirloom: Grown in gardens since the 1500s
• 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

Product Specifications

• Brand: Botanical Interests
• Variety: Marvel of Peru / Four O'Clock (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
• Days to Bloom: 60-75 days from seed
• Bloom Time: Late afternoon through morning, summer through frost
• Item # 1019

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 Marvel of Peru

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 large black seeds for next year

Brilliant Trumpet-Shaped Flowers

Marvel of Peru produces vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms in stunning colors including pink, yellow, white, red, and magenta. The flowers are borne in clusters at the tips of branches, creating a spectacular display when they all open simultaneously in late afternoon.

Intoxicating Evening Fragrance

The flowers release a sweet, powerful fragrance that intensifies in the evening hours. The scent has been described as a blend of citrus and jasmine, making Marvel of Peru perfect for:

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

Fascinating Evening Blooming Habit

True to the name Four O'Clock, Marvel of Peru flowers open around 4 PM (timing varies with temperature and light). The blooming cycle:

• 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 and provides a daily spectacle as flowers unfurl.

Attracts Evening Pollinators

Marvel of Peru is a magnet for evening pollinators:

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

Classic Heirloom Since the 1500s

Marvel of Peru is a treasured heirloom flower native to Peru that was brought to Europe in the 1500s. It has been a beloved garden plant for over 400 years, valued for its beauty, fragrance, and easy care. The name "Marvel of Peru" reflects the wonder European gardeners felt upon first encountering this extraordinary plant.

Easy to Grow from Seed

Marvel of Peru is among the easiest flowers to grow:

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

Drought & Heat Tolerant

Once established, Marvel of Peru is extremely drought and heat tolerant, thriving in hot, dry conditions, requiring minimal watering, and actually preferring lean, dry soil - perfect for water-wise and low-maintenance gardens.

Self-Sowing Annual

Marvel of Peru readily self-sows in favorable conditions. The plants form large black seeds after flowering that drop and germinate the following spring, often returning year after year to create a naturalized cottage garden effect.

Tuberous Roots

Marvel of Peru forms large tuberous roots that can be:

• Left in ground in zones 9-11 (grows as perennial)
• Dug and stored like dahlias in colder zones
• Replanted in spring for earlier blooms
• Divided to create more plants
• Grown larger each year for more flowers

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: Large pots for patios and decks
• Hedge or Screen: Bushy plants create informal barriers

Companion Planting

Marvel of Peru pairs beautifully with other evening bloomers and fragrant flowers including moonflowers, evening primrose, nicotiana, petunias, night-blooming jasmine, and angel's trumpet.

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 Marvel of Peru (Four O'Clock) Seeds 2g today and grow this classic heirloom with vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers, intoxicating evening fragrance, and fascinating 4 PM blooming habit - perfect for evening gardens and attracting hummingbirds!