Mirabilis jalapa Nyctaginaceae Kristin Yanker-Hansen, Danville Commonly called four-o’clocks because the flowers open in late afternoon, they are deciduous perennials many of us remember from our childhoods. They are reasonably drought tolerant as they have a thick carrot-like tap root which also assures their return after moderate cold. They like lots of heat although they do well in San Francisco. They prefer sun but will tolerate shade and they come in many colors. They form vigorous 3 foot high clumps and reseed readily. They are native to Peru. Photo by Kristin Yanker-Hansen