A tender perennial grown as annual. Has chartreuse foliage accented with red flowers. A tender perennial grown as an annual.
Pronunciation
(mi-RA-bi-liss)(ha-LA-pa)
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennial Tender
Hardiness Zone
8(9-11
Sunlight
full
Moisture
average, moist
Soil & Site
average, well drained
Flowers
red, five lobed corolla flaring at tip, open in late afternoon, close early evening
Fruit
seeds dark brown
Leaves
light green, chartreuse, yellow, can have a green/chartreuse marbling of the leaves
Roots
forms tubers
Dimensions
2 plus feet
Propagation
seeds, soaking helps to promote germination
Native Site
Species native to Central America.
Misc Facts
Mirabilis latin for miracle. Jalapa is the name of the city where it was reported to be found.
Author's Notes
First observed this plant in August of 2010 and they were mostly in bud. In mid July of 2014 they were at about 25% bloom. This discrepancy seems to be from the size of the plant and when they were set out in the garden. The mid July plants were a bright chartreuse to yellow, stunning!!
Notes & Reference
#47-Annuals for the Connoisseurs (Wayne Winterrowd), #144-Missouri Botanical Gardens web site (www.missouribotanicalgarden.org)