The story of my 4 O'Clock flowers. (Annual, Mirabilis Jalapa)
When I was a kid, I live in Hialeah, Florida (right next to Miami.) My parents like to go to a seafood restaurant that was down on the Miami River. We were going to diner one evening and while walking through the parking lot we smelled this wonderful floral smell. We traced it down to plant right on the edge of the river. We like the flower so much, we pulled up a small plant. By the way, this was about 1962.
We took the plant home and planted it in our back yard. It took and bloomed ever summer until 1977. This is when my parents sold their home in S. Fla and moved to Sebring, Fla. Before they left Hialeah, they took a plant with them to Sebring. Again, the flower took and thrived.
When my family and I moved to Hampton in 1987 and bought a home, I asked my father to send me some seeds from the plant. Now, the 4 O'Clocks have been growing and blooming on the side of my house for nearly twenty years.
Four generations of 4 O'Clocks. Now, my son, who grew up seeing and smelling the flowers has taken some seeds with him to his place in VA Bch.
I'd be glad to get some seeds, Brian! If you email me, I'll send you my snail mail. I'm sure a few seeds in an envelope would get through! dstacey@shaw.ca Dave.
Great story, Brian, along with a great shot of the flowers themselves! Coincidentally, my wife, Mom-in-law and myself were strolling through the English Garden in Assiniboine Park here in Winnipeg last night, looking at some 4 O'clocks, and commenting how they would be nice to have in front of our house! Dave.
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