Maravilla (Mirabilis multiflora), packet of 5 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Four O’Clock (Nyctaginaceae)
Hardy to Zones 7 to 11
(High Desert Four O’Clock, Maravilla) Herbaceous desert perennial. Native to the American Southwest. Produces myriads of extraordinary, tubular, flaring purple flowers, from a thick, creeping stem with leathery, olive-green leaves. If seeds are desired, several plants must be grown–these are obligate outcrossers. Traditional usage (Native American): appetite suppressant. Plant prefers full sun, poor and dry soils; elevation tolerant. Light retards germination. Sow 1 inch deep in spring or summer. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Flowers to 1 foot.
5 seeds/pkt, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Lilia –
It grows abundantly here in the wild at 8000′ High altitude desert at 38 degrees latitude
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Beverly Lutgen (verified owner) –
That’s fantastic news to me!
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Anita Stone –
Could these beautiful plants be grown as a potted annual in zone 5?
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Richo Cech –
Yes, i think that would be the best way to grow it in a z 5. the advantage of “multiflora” over “jalapa” for potted culture, is that it stays small, trails, and blooms close to the pot. jalapa would have to get really tall before they would flower, and that’s not as conducive to potted culture. r
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Diane Tipton –
This plant does well in Denver, CO which is zone 5
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Connie –
Mirabilis multiflora does very well in zone 5, Denver area. Mine grows abt 1 ‘ high and 2-3’ wide.
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dzer (verified owner) –
These grew well from seed in NW Colorado Springs Altitude 6800 feet, xeric front yard, east facing, Front Range foothills. No watering, well mulched.
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Jonathan –
I’ve grown these in Longmont, Colorado for twenty years. Winter temperatures during that period have gone below -15 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants die completely back to their deep crowns by mid-autumn, then begin to show the first shoots in late May or even June. Once above ground, the plants grow at an extraordinary rate until they cover some 16 to 25 square feet, then produce hundreds, maybe thousands of flowers that last for a couple of months, opening in the afternoon and closing in the morning. I think they’re pollinated by night-flying moths. I never saw anything like a pollinator near them until I was out late one night looking at the moon and my plantings, and a gigantic moth, don’t know the species, fluttered past my face and landed on the mirabilis. These like to grow in the vicinity of piñon and juniper, and actually do well in light full shade to full sun, with the best results, in my experience, in part day full sun, part day shade. I’ve seen these in the wild in New Mexico at 7500 feet, and I understand they’re found as high as 8500. They definitely grow in zone 4 and some mountainous locations that get colder but are farther south than most of zone 3. They don’t seem to transplant well except when grown in pots. They should be planted at least 2 feet apart, where I am, anyway. They’ll do best where the top layer of soil is mostly sand, gravel, or something like river rock. Too much organic matter will cause the crowns to rot unless it’s very dry. These are quite xeric, as well, and require no supplemental water in most places once established. They’re amazing plants, tough, athough the stems are brittle, hardy across a wide range of altitudes, latitudes, and growing conditions, and beautiful.
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Richo Cech –
thanks for this in-depth report on a truly gorgeous plant. like you we grow these in deep grit vs rich soil, and this surely improves overwintering etc. basically the dry desert or mountain that does get mighty cold from time to time is different from a wet winter area of the same zone, where indeed the plant would have difficulty overwintering.
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