Broken Colors
Broken Colors Four O'Clock is a vigorous, free-blooming cultivar of Mirabilis jalapa that brings evening magic to gardens in hardiness zones 9-11. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall (potentially reaching 48 inches in ideal conditions), this tender perennial produces flowers that open in the afternoon and evening, releasing a delicious soft perfume that drifts through warm summer air. Quick to establish and prolific in bloom, it effortlessly fills borders and open garden spaces, rewarding you with continuous color from mid-summer onward in full sun.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
36in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
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What makes Broken Colors Four O'Clock special is its combination of vigor and fragrance, these plants grow quickly and bloom prolifically without fussing, yet their delicate evening perfume sets them apart from most ornamentals. The broken color pattern in the flowers creates visual interest that changes as light shifts through the day. In mild winter climates, they readily self-sow, which means you can enjoy volunteer plants year after year if you let seed pods mature, or you can easily prevent spreading by removing pods before seeds drop.
Broken Colors Four O'Clock is grown as an ornamental flower for borders, open garden areas, and mixed beds. Its primary appeal lies in its afternoon and evening blooms and fragrance, making it ideal for gardens designed to be enjoyed in late summer evenings or for planting near pathways and seating areas where you'll pass by often and catch the scent.
Seeds can be started indoors 4 to 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. However, since Four O'Clocks grow so quickly, direct sowing into the garden is often recommended in all but very short summer areas.
Transplant seedlings or thin direct-sown seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are large enough to handle. Time outdoor planting for after your average last frost date, as this tender annual cannot tolerate frost.
Direct sow seeds into the garden 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. This method is recommended and often preferred over indoor starting due to the plant's vigorous, fast growth habit.
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