Tell Me About Four O'Clocks

16 years ago

I received a gardening magazine in the mail today and in it was a photo of Four O'Clocks. I had never seen them before and they are really pretty!!

I remember them being mentioned on this board before - what kind of growing conditions do they like here? (I am in Central Florida/Saint Cloud specifically)

I don't think I have ever seen them at a nursery, but then again I only have Target, HD, or Lowe's to choose from. I am HORRIBLE about starting things from seed - they always die.

Give me the scoop!!

-Julie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

mmsc
16 years ago
Hi Julie,
In my opinion those pictures in the magazines tend to be somewhat misleading. Four O'Clocks here are considered an invasive weed, they get HUGE and there are always thousands (literally) of seedlings growing around stablished plants, even in cracks in the sidewalk.

If you have a lot of space, then you'll probably be ok, but if your space is limited it'd a be a good idea not to plant this in your garden. They're really hard to get rid of.. even if you pull them or cut them back they always come back from the tubers - that, btw, overwinter just fine and are very deep and difficult to reach.

Maybe you should try Nicotiana? They are also very nice and fragrant, but not invasive (at least not in here).

Mauricio
rosarama
16 years ago
Hi Julie - I'm in Central Florida too and I agree with Mauritio. I got some seeds two years ago and they really do multiply. I have been busy relocating them to areas where nothing else seems to trive but I agree they really are invasive. I suppose you could control them that way.
Related Discussions
four-o-clocks gota love em
Q
Comments (111)
Searched on "4 O'Clocks" and this discussion came up. Nice old discussion! In my area (Maritime NW) I have never seen 4 O'clocks in the nurseries and big box stores. I'm speculating that's because most of their flowers are sold in bloom, and 4 O'clocks bloom when larger. They probably don't bloom in little 6-packs or even in 1-gallon containers. I'm guessing about that. Also, if the flowers are not reliably open when the stores are open, people might not buy them. I bought seeds via the internet. Feeling nostalgic about gardening from my childhood, and these 4 O'clocks were part of that. I grew some about 10 years ago and as I recall they did OK here. I'm more into gardening now than I was then, so maybe they'll grow better. Plus I have a deer and rabbit problem, and maybe they'll be resistant to those animals. Maybe. I read start them 6 to 8 weeks indoors before the last frost, for cool climates like mine. They can also be planted in the ground, but maybe will start blooming later. A packet has plenty of sees, so I can try both. Nice discussion! I've lost the experiences of older gardeners in my family, and it seems there aren't a lot of gardeners in my neighborhood, so it's up to me to discover what works and what doesn't. Pass-along plants like these are worth preserving for the next generation!
...See More
Four O'Clocks & Forget Me Nots
Q
Comments (4)
Arielle, Up north, zinnia, snapdragon, forget-me-nots and four o'clocks would die in full shade as you describe it. Your climate is a whole 'nuther world. For maximum color in your garden, I'd recommend talking to local people to find out what thrives in your area. Talk to neighbors with nice gardens and staff at the better nurseries. Find the website for your local agricultural/horticultural extension - it will be associated with a university. Many have searchable online databases and some offer classes on gardening, composting, etc, either free or for a small fee. I also recommend you do some more research before you replace all your soil. That's a big project, not fun, and only necessary where the soil is contaminated with toxic chemicals. If you just have ordinary but uninspiring dirt, sand, clay, etc., you can improve it by adding compost and other goodies. Another option would be to add soil on top of what you have to make a raised garden. And if you get the right plants you may be able to grow them in the soil you have now. Four o'clocks - if you can get them to bloom you'll have them forever. I deadhead mine daily and still miss seeds. One source to get you started: Annie's Annuals is a CA nursery with an online catalog and a great website. There's a lot of information there and it's well organized. Check the "Totally useful plant lists" - there's one for dry shade. (Is your shade wet or dry?) For the rest of us, they do ship plants and they do have plants hardy to at least zone 5. I haven't bought anything *yet.* Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Annuals
...See More
Growing Four O'Clocks West of the Cascades
Q
Comments (8)
Now my containerized 4:00's have about bloomed out. They have set seeds, which I am saving. The plants in the ground started blooming much later. They are actually more lush than the ones in containers. I am saving seeds by collecting individually from each color plant, into envelopes labeled with those colors. They are open pollinates, so who knows what I will get, but saving the colors separately seems reasonable; My photo doesn't do them justice. They grew really nice.
...See More
Four O'Clocks
Q
Comments (11)
i'm one of the regular complainers about four o'clocks they were here when we bought the place and covered about 20 percent of our .79 acres-which happened to be the part i wanted to garden in - they reseed like crazy - maybe in another year or two i will have them under control i think i would like them if i could ever get them under control they do not need extra water or fertilizer and appear to grow best in sandy soil they are great for humming birds just pull up the volunteers immediately when they come up where you don't want them and they do grow up to 6 ft tall so don't plant them where you need short plants!! most of mine are around 4 feet tall
...See More
beth7happy
16 years ago
Hi Julie...someone gave me my first 4 o'clock seeds because I said that I couldn't grow anything. Well, I can grow 4 o'clocks! and they DO grow like weeds - everywhere, as Mauricio says, however I just love them! They're perfect additions to 'night gardens'...they literally do begin to open at around 4 (okay..maybe 5 or 6!) o'clock and smell SO nice! I've been pulling them up ever since the first year..have plenty of seeds that I could send you, or, if you'd like to come here, I'd be more than happy to dig up little plants for you. I'm in Brevard...might even have a few other things you would like, too...I'm getting ready to redo flower beds and also want to start a bunch of things, just in case I ever get to go to a swap.
butterflygardener
16 years ago
I happen to love 4 O'clocks also! IME the yellow variety go crazy! I am pulling them constantly, but they smell great and are still open in the morning for the hummingbirds. The fushia color are a little more tame and I only have a few to pull. I have a deep pink-red that I wish would reseed! The kaleidoscope has only had a couple pop up. So maybe it differs for different cultivars?
I say get seeds from someone who has had a good experience with them that will meet your taste and tolerance.
Kat
countrynest
16 years ago
Julie,
4 O'Clocks are invasive But they can be control. The fragrance
is heavenly. My wife likes to take the branches inside the house. At about 4 or 5 they open up and the fragrance fills the house. I love this plant,
Felix
FlowerLady6
16 years ago
I also love 4 o'clocks. Their scent is wonderful, and their color vibrant late in the afternoon when they open up. They do multiply via their seeds, you can just pull them up while they are little, before that dang tuber forms and grows into something that does not want to let go of the earth. I do love them in my cottage gardens. They are very hardy, require little care. I enjoy going out and collecting the seeds, either for trades, or to fling around in areas where I want them to grow. : -)

FlowerLady
perrisquirrel
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow - thanks for all the info guys!!

They sound great, except for the reseeding part. I currently am having a problem with Mini Mexican Petunias - they are reseeding themselves EVERYWHERE and I am sick of pulling them out!

Maybe I'll have to try them in an area where they can spread and see how bad it gets.

Thanks again everyone!!
KaraLynn
16 years ago
Speaking from experience mexican petunias are much harder to control and/or get rid of then 4 o'clocks. I love my 4 o'clocks and wouldn't dream of getting rid of them. The white ones nearly glow at night and the fragrance is wonderful!
sandygator
16 years ago
I tried unsuccessfully to grow 4 o'clocks. I would love a yard full of them because of the sweet memories they recall of my Gramdma's home in Orlando. The only things I had in this yard (or space) when I moved in were left from my Dad bringing them from Orlando many years ago from his mother's. Some lovely smelling night blooming jasmine, some sort of climbing very prolific miniature pink rose (some say seven sisters [?]), and some Hydrangeas. All are precious to me *smile*

Tell Me About Four O'Clocks

Comments (9)

mmsc

rosarama

Related Discussions

beth7happy

butterflygardener

countrynest

FlowerLady6

perrisquirrel
Original Author

KaraLynn

sandygator

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Tell Me About Four O'Clocks

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

perrisquirrelOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

perrisquirrel
Original Author