- Sweet Four-O’Clock (Mirabilis longiflora)
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirements: Low to Moderate
Height: 3–5 feet
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Description:
Sweet Four-O’Clock is a fragrant, night-blooming perennial native to the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Its long, tubular, lavender-to-purple flowers open in the late afternoon and evening, releasing a sweet scent that attracts nocturnal pollinators such as hawk moths. The plant’s upright, branching habit and abundant blossoms make it an excellent choice for fragrance gardens, pollinator landscapes, or xeriscapes.
Planting Tips:
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Plant in well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established.
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Space plants 18–24 inches apart.
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Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms.
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Protect from heavy frost or treat as a reseeding annual in colder areas.
Ideal Season for Planting in Texas: Spring
Nativity to Texas: Yes (native to parts of the Southwest, including Texas)
