Pink Four O'clock is a sun-loving heirloom flower that opens its delicate blooms in the late afternoon, creating a garden spectacle from summer through fall. Hardy in zone 8, this Mexican native grows to a compact 24-36 inches tall and produces flowers reliably 84 days from seed to bloom. The plant's large tuberose roots give it surprising drought tolerance once established, while its nectar-rich flowers draw pollinators to the garden all season long.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
8-8
36in H x 24in W
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High
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This heirloom flowers continuously from June through November, rewarding gardeners with a summer-to-fall color show that deer won't touch. Its drought tolerance and proven pollinator appeal make it a low-maintenance addition to sunny borders, and the afternoon bloom timing gives it a unique personality that sets apart the afternoon garden. Direct sowing is straightforward, and established plants thrive on minimal water once their deep roots develop.
Pink Four O'clock is grown as an ornamental flower for garden beds, borders, and landscape color during the warmest months. Its nectar attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens and pollinator-focused plantings.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil at 70°F. Seeds typically sprout within 5-30 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 1 week after your last spring frost once they have hardened off to outdoor conditions.
Direct sow seeds outdoors 1 week after your last spring frost, as direct sowing is the recommended method for this variety.
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“Mirabilis jalapa, commonly called Four O'clock, has been cultivated in gardens since its introduction from Mexico and Peru centuries ago. The pink cultivar represents the heirloom preservation of this beloved flower, which has been saved and replanted by gardeners across generations who valued its reliable summer color and pollinator magnetism. This variety carries forward a lineage of careful seed saving stretching back through time.”