Pure joy! The highly fragrant flowers of Mirabilis jalapa — 4 O’clocks — open between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock and then close in the morning for good. New flowers open the following day. On the same plant, flowers can bloom in different solid colors; and some flowers may be splashed with a variety of colors like this pretty pink and white one. Magically, the color of its flowers can even change as the plant matures. With 4 O’clocks in the garden, it seems a party’s always going on! Mirabilis means “admirable” — a fitting name for this plant with so much to love.
My love of 4 O’clocks stems from the white envelope full of round black seeds given to me by my father sometime before I reached the age of 10. I carefully pushed those seeds into the hard, dry, crusty dirt against the concrete block foundation of our home; and surprisingly, the plants flourished! I waited for the abundant, funnel-shaped, multi-colored flowers to open each day — sometimes dancing and cartwheeling around as I watched; and I delighted in collecting the easy-to-gather seeds for future planting. The joy I felt then comes easily back as I recall the memory.
This year, I planted seeds in a galvanized pail poolside; and like a kid again, I wait for the flowers to open each day (although at nearly 50 years later, without the dancing and cartwheeling). When they do open, I recall my father’s work-rough hands on that smooth white envelope; and I feel his love even now.
I praise you, Lord, for my father’s long ago kindness still bringing joy!
What love memories to go with this quite interesting flower. Love your composition of it and such a neat place to plant them. They must be a joy to watch each day.
It's a beautiful picture accompanying your wonderful story-telling about these flowers. (Got a chuckle about the absence of cartwheels these days! So nice to 'see' you in a profile picture now as well.)
My grandmother always had 4 o'clocks. This really takes me back!