Sweet Four O'Clock

While Mirabilis jalapa is more common, Mirabilis longiflora is a stunning tuberous alternative for the UK gardener seeking fragrance. It produces incredibly long, slender white trumpets with bright pink stamens that open in the late afternoon and evening. The fragrance is intense and sweet, intended to attract hawk moths, making it a perfect plant for a 'moon garden' or near a patio seating area. The plant has a sprawling, bushy habit with slightly sticky foliage. In the UK, it is usually grown from seed as an annual, but it forms large, fleshy tubers that can be lifted and stored like dahlias for the winter. It prefers a very sunny, warm spot to flourish. In sheltered, southern UK gardens with well-drained soil, the tubers may survive in the ground if protected by a deep mulch, but lifting is safer. It brings an exotic nocturnal charm to the summer garden.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug, Sep.