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Herbaceous PerennialAnnual Biennial

Mirabilis jalapa

marvel of Peru

A bushy, tuberous perennial often grown as an annual, with fragrant flowers opening in the afternoon, in a wide range of colours, and sometimes bicoloured

Other common names

false jalap
four o'clock flower
see morefour o'clock plant
garden jalap
jalap plant
Japanese wonder flower
marvel of the world
pearl of Egypt
pretty-by-night

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Nyctaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Mirabilis can be annuals or tuberous perennials, with paired, ovate leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters in the leaf axils
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Peru trop. America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds and provide a dry mulch in winter to protect from excessive winter wet. Alternatively, grow in a container and keep outside over the summer and overwinter

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring, germinate at 13-18°C. Propagate by division of tubers in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back prior to lifting tubers

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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