Mirabilis nyctaginea

The Wild Four o'Clock produce clusters of magenta, or occasionally pink to yellow or white, 1/2" wide, funnel-shaped flowers that open in the late afternoon and remain open until early morning. It is a bushy spreading to rounded plant with rich green foliage. The bracts from which the flower clusters emerge may age to pink or lavender and are long lasting providing interest long after the flowers have faded. The flowers of this truly cold hardy Wild Four O'Clock are pollinated by bees, moths, and hummingbirds. A drought and deer resistant tap-rooted perennial that is typically found on poor, well-drained, often sandy soils in the western half of the US. Readily reseeds. Mirabilis nyctaginea is considered invasive in some areas and has been classified as a noxious weed in Washington state and possibly in other non-native areas. Its ability to withstand pesticide applications have made it a crop pest in some areas. The Wild Four O'Clock's ability to flower for much of summer as well as providing pollen and nectar make this plant an important component of its native habitat.