Colorado Four O'Clock
Colorado four o'clock is a native perennial flower that is naturally found in dry, stony desert areas.
It produces a profusion of deep rose-pink trumpet-shaped flowers for several months, which are only open from dusk to dawn-- or on very cloudy days. This plant has an enormous taproot, which is allows it to grow in unwatered areas once it is established.
Colorado four o'clock grows as a mounded plant with fleshy leaves.The leaves emerge in spring with a purple color, then turn green once they fully expand.
Colorado Four O'Clock
Colorado four o'clock is a native perennial flower that is naturally found in dry, stony desert areas.
It produces a profusion of deep rose-pink trumpet-shaped flowers for several months, which are only open from dusk to dawn-- or on very cloudy days. This plant has an enormous taproot, which is allows it to grow in unwatered areas once it is established.
Colorado four o'clock grows as a mounded plant with fleshy leaves.The leaves emerge in spring with a purple color, then turn green once they fully expand.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Mirabilis multiflora
Pronunciation
mih-RAB-ih-liss mul-tih-FLOR-uh
Mature Height
12 to 18 in.
Mature Spread
4 to 6 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
purple-pink
Bloom time
July through August
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
southern Utah, Colorado to Texas, northern Arizona
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,000 ft.
Performance
Colorado four o'clock has grown with variable results at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. Some plants have grown very well, producing large mounds of leaves and lots of flowers. Other plants have suffered from insect damage. A piercing-sucking insects feeds on the leaves until they brown and shrivel. It is worth planting in a sunny, dry location. When not damaged by insects, it is a spectacular plant that supports native pollinators and hummingbirds.
This plant spreads 4 to 6 feet wide when mature, so plant it in a spot where its width won't be problematic.
Maintenance
The current year's growth is killed by the first frost. All the stems and leaves turn brown and should be removed.