Each bloom opens in a different colour and pattern from the last, and by evening the whole plant is sending perfume across the garden: Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is an American native grown for abundant flowers from June until September. Give it full sun and ordinary soil that drains well, and it will bloom generously — and seed itself freely.
| Name | Mirabilis jalapa |
|---|---|
| Family | Nyctaginaceae |
| Type | perennial or annual |
| Height | 32 inches tall (0.8 m) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | ordinary that drains well |
| Flowering | June until September |
It tends to spread fast when conditions suit it well. Taking care of it is easy as long as care is regular.
You can find potted Marvel of Peru in most garden stores and horticulture centers in April and May. That is the best time to plant them (Spring).
Marvel of Peru bears lots of seeds and it’s easy to get them to germinate. Protect seedlings from frost at all costs.
Alternatively, you can sow in a tray and transplant seedlings outdoors in May.
Since Marvel of Peru is more of a herbaceous plant than a woody one, it won’t grow very large. Stems sprout from seed, bloom, bear seeds, and after a few years die off, replaced by new seedlings.
Marvel of Peru will turn invasive because it produces a lot of seeds. Seeds germinate easily, too.
Everything this plant asks for falls into a handful of dated tasks, from buying or sowing in spring to keeping the seedlings in check. Use the table to see at a glance what belongs to which month.
| Task | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Plant potted stock | April and May | Buy potted plants from garden stores and set them out in spring |
| Sow under protection | March | Sow in the warm and keep seedlings away from any frost |
| Sow in the ground | May | Sow directly outdoors, spacing plants 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) apart |
| Cull stray seedlings | Spring | Remove any seedling growing outside its designated area |
| Remove spent flowers | During the blooming | Cut dead or wilted flowers before they set seed |
Apart from these few moments in the calendar, the plant needs neither pruning nor trimming.
Peru is the modern-day name of that portion of South America that was once the heart of the Inca civilization. Inca would cultivate Mirabilis species for their flowers, and some even for food. That’s why one of the names of this plant is “Marvel of Peru”.
Flowers are astounding and each will be different from the next. Indeed, Marvel of Peru blooms in such a manner that colors and patterns are unique to each flower.
Fertilizing with organic fertilizers and adding a light layer of mulch will greatly increase the blooming of your Marvel of Peru.
