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Vermont Garden Journal: Four O'Clocks

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The 4 O'Clock is an odd flower; its flowers can be white, pink, yellow, red and bicolor, often on the same plant. The flowers open in late afternoon and then close by morning.

The Four O'Clock is a bit of an odd flower: Its different colored blossoms open in the late afternoon and close in the morning.

It's a very fragrant flower, so it attracts a lot of bees and humming birds. Four O'Clocksgrow to be a 1- to 2-foot-wide shrub by mid-summer and then bloom.

Eventually, the flower forms a black, carrot-like tuber that can be dug up in fall, stored in winter and replanted in spring.

Although they can take some shade, Four O'Clocks flower best in full sun on well-drained soil. Some people may get a rash from rubbing the leaves, so wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when working with the plant.

Using Four O'Clocks, you can have some fun creating a flower clock. Plant morning glories, daylilies, Four O'Clocks and moonflowers in one bed and the flowers will open in that order starting in the morning and going through the evening.

Charlie Nardozzi is a nationally recognized garden writer, radio and TV show host, consultant, and speaker. Charlie is the host of All Things Gardening on Sunday mornings at 9:35 during Weekend Edition on Vermont Public. Charlie is a guest on Vermont Public's Vermont Edition during the growing season. He also offers garden tips on local television and is a frequent guest on national programs.
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