'Marvel of Peru' - Mirabilis jalapa

The unusual and immensely pretty Mirabilis jalapa opens its gorgeous flowers in mid-afternoon on sunny days in the height of summer - only to close them again at night, hence one of its common names 'The Four O'Clock Plant'.

Incredibly, each plant produces its flowers in a mix of colours - from deep-magenta, to pure-white, bicolours, and even bright-yellow - it's no wonder its called the 'Marvel of Peru'! Plant this beauty in beds and borders, and it will form a neat, bushy shrub that will grow to about 1m (3ft) tall. Alternatively, plant them in deep pots, like carrots would grow (you will see what we mean when you get them!)