I grew these plants from seed way back in 2017 and again in 2018. I got two large plants the first year and three the second year but I didn’t over winter them properly and so lost them all. This year I have a head start as I have received five roots from Farmer Gracy. I have soaked them and they are now ready to put into the garden. Four of them have tiny new buds showing. I have two previous lengthy posts on my blog so I won’t write too much about them here.

I have found a really big pot that used to contain lilies and i have put all five roots in there. These plants are perennial and should come back year after year. How I managed to lose mine I just don’t know. They flower prolifically all summer and into Autumn. The flowers open at four o clock and stay open all night filling the garden with their scent. The insects love them and so did I. I’m looking forward to having then again in the garden. I remember the seeds too. Amazing black shiny seeds that you can collect and grow more plants.

Mirabilis forms an over wintering tuber which gets bigger each year and can be resurrected in spring for an earlier and much longer season of bloom. Maybe that’s what I did wrong. Perhaps they should be overwintered inside. An attractive plant with dark green leaves reminiscent of busy lizzies. Blooms are red, yellow and orange and sometimes a combination of all on one flower. An unusual plant and a welcome sight in the garden.