My four o'clocks seem to be done for the season. I know in warmer climates they are perennial. Rosie in Tulsa says hers comes back, so I think I am in the same zone, So in case mine do come back is there anything special I should do? Like cut them back or??? It really doesn't matter I don't guess, as I have seen alot of seeds on the ground under the plants, so if nothing else it will self seed and come back.

* * * *

Comfrey, they will get pretty fried the first time we have a hard freeze. That's when I cut mine back to the ground. Mine are so old, I know where they will come up the following spring but you might want to mark yours.

The new growth on the plants growing from seeds will be green. Plants that come back from the tubers will have a reddish stem until they are 6" or 8" tall.

Mine are still blooming like crazy and the bigger ones I failed to stake up early in the season are flopping all over the place. I've got to quit being so lazy about things like that. It also helps to pinch them back a couple of times early in the season so they don't get so huge.

* * * *
Rosie z7a

Dianne, they'll survive cold temps if they have developed their tubers. Since yours were started so late, I doubt they would make it over the winter as it takes about 3 or 4 months for the tuber to grow to a good size and get established. Go ahead and give them some winter protection just to see but next year, start your seeds earlier so the babies are ready to set out as soon as the ground warms in the spring.

* * * *
Rosie z7a

maybe you should save some of those seeds that are falling on the ground just in case you need to replant.

* * * *


http://www.picturetrail.com/bestofour

Four O'clocks can be so much fun.;0 I spotted this lone Peach colored baby plant with first blooms yesterday morning, growing smack-dab in the middle of an old, established pink plant. Maybe a busy bee pollinated one of the pink Fours with one of the yellow Fours to result in this new color? It sure is pretty, however it happened. lol!



* * * *
Rosie z7a

Barb, I'll watch for seeds..since this just started blooming it will be awhile. My other Fours aren't producing many seeds this year.

* * * *
Rosie z7a

Barb, I'll keep on eye on them and hope they make seeds. I also have a slightly darker color than that...I guess more Tangerine although not totally orange. A really hard color to describe. I'll try to capture seeds from all of them before the season is finished.

* * * *
Rosie z7a

Hmmmmm, there is an orangey Tropicana Rose right behind those Fours. Ya think they've been fooling around?

* * * *
Rosie z7a