Sweet Four O'Clock
Mirabilis longiflora
Notes for it's intense perfumed scent, Sweet Four O'Clock (Mirabilis longiflora), naturally occurring the American Southwest, is a much rarer cousin to Four O'Clock (Mirabilis jalapa).
Thomas Jefferson received seed of the "Sweet-scented Marvel of Peru" from Bernard McMahon in 1812. A native of the arid regions of the southwest and Mexico, the Sweet Four O'clock is an intriguing and unusual cousin of the more familiar South American Four O'clock (Mirabilis jalapa), and is as rare in gardens today as it was in 1812. It forms long, three- to four-inch, tubular white and purple flowers that produce a distinctively sweet perfume.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
