Intermediate
skill rating
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Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Mirabilis jalapa
Other names
Marvel of Peru, Pretty-by-night , Japanese wonder flower , Garden jalap , Jalap plant , Marvel of the world , Four o'clock flower , False jalap, Four o'clock plant
Genus
Mirabilis Mirabilis
Species
M. jalapa - M. jalapa is a tender perennial, sometimes grown as an annual. It has mid-green, ovate leaves and in summer, bears clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers (either white, yellow, pink, purple or red) that open in the afternoon.
Mirabilis jalapa is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant
Habit
Bushy
Toxicity
Contact may irritate skin. Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
Flower
Purple, Pink, Yellow, White, Red in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally disease-free
Specific pests
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers
Cultivation
Plant in moderately fertile, free-draining soil in a sunny sheltered position. Not frost-hardy, so will require protection or lifting of tubers. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Mirabilis jalapa
Other names
Marvel of Peru, Pretty-by-night , Japanese wonder flower , Garden jalap , Jalap plant , Marvel of the world , Four o'clock flower , False jalap, Four o'clock plant
Genus
Mirabilis Mirabilis
Species
M. jalapa - M. jalapa is a tender perennial, sometimes grown as an annual. It has mid-green, ovate leaves and in summer, bears clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers (either white, yellow, pink, purple or red) that open in the afternoon.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant
Habit
Bushy
Toxicity
Contact may irritate skin. Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Pink, Yellow, White, Red in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally disease-free
Specific pests
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers
Cultivation
Plant in moderately fertile, free-draining soil in a sunny sheltered position. Not frost-hardy, so will require protection or lifting of tubers. Alternatively, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru)
Common pest name
grape ground pearl
Scientific pest name
Margarodes vitis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru)
Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru)
Mirabilis jalapa (Marvel of Peru)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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Four oclock plant
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