Photo of Mirabilis jalapa [purple] by Almost Eden

Photo by Almost Eden

Used with permission, all rights reserved.

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Mirabilis jalapa [purple]

Also Known As

  • Mirabilis jalapa 'Purple'
  • Purple Four O'Clock

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 24"-40"
  • W: 24"-36"

planting zones

  • 7b-10b

More Options

Mirabilis jalapa [purple] plant details

Mirabilis jalapa [purple] is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Mirabilis jalapa [purple]

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: nyctaginaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 24 IN - 40 IN - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, easy-to-grow, fragrant, long-blooming, self-sowing

GROWING CONDITIONS for Mirabilis jalapa [purple]

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Solid purple clusters of fragrant flowers open late in the day attracting larger butterflies, bees, and especially the mystical hummingbird moths. The Purple Four O'Clock grows to form a large tuber from which it will return to grace your garden year after year and they flower continuously throughout the summer months. Easy and reliable and may reseed under good conditions Four O'Clocks are long-lived durable perennials that begin flowering in late spring and will continue flowering until the first frost. The fragrant flowers open late in the afternoon and early evening and remain open until the early morning attracting a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds and pollinating moths. They grow from large tubers which can weigh up to 40 pounds and prefer average moist sites but are drought resistant once they are well established in the landscape and require minimal care. They do reseed readily and will happily colonize an area and spread if given the opportunity and so should be given their own area of the garden. They are late to sprout in spring but quickly reqrow and begin flowering in just a few weeks once they do. Flowers come in a variety of colors ranging from red, pink, white, purple, yellow, orange, and multi-colored forms.

Gardening facts about Mirabilis jalapa [purple] plant

How to Grow Mirabilis jalapa [purple]

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

See other plant types of Mirabilis for your garden

aka Mountain Four O'clock, Pale Umbrella Wort, White Four O'clock

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-10b

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • drought tolerant
Photo of Mirabilis albida flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Wishbone Bush

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

8b-10b

Size

Height: 18"-30"

Width: 18"-30"

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Mirabilis laevis var. villosa flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Mirabilis glandulosa, Colorado Four O'clock, Showy 4 O’clock

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 2'

Width: 4'

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Mirabilis multiflora close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
View Plant

More Options

aka Allioniella oxybaphoides, Quamoclidon oxybaphoides

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

5a-11

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 3'-5'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • drought tolerant
Photo of Mirabilis oxybaphoides foliage, form by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Mirabilis longiflora 'Fairy Trumpets', Mirabilis longiflora 'Four O'Clock 'Fairy Trumpets', Angels Trumpets, Fairy Trumpets, Fairy Trumpets Four O'Clock, Wild Four O'Clock

Plant Type

Perennial, Annual / Biennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 2'-3'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - bright shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Mirabilis longiflora flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
View Plant

More Options

+21 more Mirabilis
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