I got four o'clock seeds at our fall RU, and I'm trying to decide where to plant them, come spring.
How long is their blooming season?
Does the foliage look nice when they are not blooming?
4 o'clocks
mine bloom all summer into fall. They like shade but can take some sun. They bloom in the evening around 4 o'clock and that's ;when they release their fragrance.
The sweet lady that shared her 4 o'clocks with me only had one bit of advice about location- don't plant them next to something you like :-)
I planted them on the east side of my house, near the porch so we can enjoy their wonderful fragrance in the evening. So, sun until 1 or 2 pm and I very seldom give them supplemental water. They will develop large tubers, therefore I wouldn't plant near underground utility lines or pipes. They will also spread but are easily contained. They are so easy and one of my favorite plants.
Sybram - I think you might have the seeds that I liberated from the alley behind my neighbor's garage. I know that for at least 15 years and undoubtedly more, the plants have never been cared for. I'd even wager that the only time they might have been touched would have been by a passing garbage truck. They've been covered with leaves from oak, chinese pistachio, and some other tree for all of this time. They do face south, but b/c of their location across from neighbors' garages and fences, as well as a lot of shade from trees and unknown shrubs, they really get very little sun.
The leaves are pretty, sorta heart-shaped, and the plant is growing high and low and it might even be climbing at one point which is so far back I dare not go. It spreads sideways also. I was out looking at them late yesterday afternoon. Picked a few seeds and dropped a few. I could see where many of the seeds have already dispersed, but some were still 'ripening'. Thought I'd go take a look this afternoon to see what, if anything, the freeze did. Still in my jammies now.
If I had a camera I would have taken a picture for you. I do have more seeds that I've gathered since the fall RU in case you or anyone is interested.
Took a look and no apparent freeze damage. But we didn't have an extended hard freeze. I think it got down to about 29 degrees for maybe 6 hours or so.
Syb, I forgot to respond to your question about foliage. Four O'clocks produce big full foliage and 1 or 2 plants make a lush display.
Thank you all. Very helpful. hmmmmm, now let me see...................mostly shade, but some sun. Stay away from pipes, etc. Somewhat invasive.
I have a place right in front of my porch where a clematis is right now, but I must move it. It's right by a sprinkler head, and it stays too wet. It's not really boggy, but too wet for the C. What do you think? Sounds like it might be the same for the 4s.
Probably too boggy- you can kill em with too much sun, just plant em where there is air circulation if its a sunny spot. They do adapt real well to conditions tho.
They would only get morning sun. It's the water I'm worried about.
I don't think they'd like the water. Don't know if a lot of mulch would help.
Syb, save that boggy spot for some Louisiana irises!
How long do the irises bloom, and do they have pretty foliage when not blooming? Colors?
Yes I just got a boatload of Louisiana iris from my gardener buddy.. She told me they get about waist (or was it chest?) height and love water!
You see them on the sides of ponds blooming in a trail down the side. Louisiana irises do get tall some of em. Whites, yellows,gamecocks purple....
Mine are waist high and the foliage is iris foliage, you know,... looks like large grass blades.
I've seen a lot of Louisiana irises in Dallas. I've never grown them myself. Driving by yards that do have them, the foliage seems to be a darker green than one sees with other irises. Also seems like thinner blades. Chest, waist or knee high prob. depends on how tall you are.
Four oclocks like reasonably good drainage, will live in full morning to early afternoon sun, will die back in drought during summer and return in fall. They do throw a few seeds but the bulbs stay in one place like a carrot bulb, don't multiply like iris or lilies. If you want them in the soggy spot, can you raise the bed?
Louisiana iris or Butterfly iris? They are both tall but take different water conditions! Butterfly iris do have darker blades and a fan shaped bulb spray, La Iris are arent always darker blades
Having been out to your place Sybil, I don't think you have shade as I know it! LOL! That is other than the woods. Four o'clocks are not "look good all the time" plants. They tend to be a bit leggy and only bloom during the evening and early morning. Even with heavy shade they don't bloom much of the day in TX. Try them, but if you are not satisfied with them in a couple seasons, take them out before the root gets too big.
I have a love/hide relationship with them. I love them but they look sad anywhere except in my far backyard under trees.
You guys are so good!!!! Lots of wonderful data about La. Irises and 4 o'clocks. Thank you all, and now I'll put all this decision making on hold for about 10 days. The first of my Thanksgiving company is coming today (for a week). It's my first born grand, with his wife and 4 children, the oldest being 4. Yeah. Another family will be here Saturday. Good times ahead (but no time for gardening thoughts. hahahaha.
Thanks again.
I know how many family members you have....praying all are healthy through the holiday!
Hey Syb, you might put a picture out of the front area and ask for other planting recommendations. Then you could request them at the spring RU.
Excellent idea, Sheila. I'll have to look for an earlier pic, since I've already cut back all the EEs and cannas that take up so much room when they're "on the move."
Your prayers for healthy visit time were certainly answered. One 18 month old threw up on the way up here, but that's all. Thank you. God is so good.
Last company left Sunday morning as we were leaving for church. God has blessed us with such a loving, BIG family, but it does stretch the DH. We are really enjoying our "home alone." time today. Ten days of company really stretched me, too, but in a different way. I gained 5 pounds. :(
Mine get morning sun and afternoon shade. I dug a few from an old homestead and they are in pots right now. As they make seeds I throw them into the yard as they are different colors from what I already have. If you figure out where you want them you can put them out now as mine reseed themselves. Mine come up in late spring when it is getting hot and bloom until fall.
Does anyone know if I can cut them back so to be fuller next year? Or can you cut them back? Can you root from cuttings? Thanks