The MGS Forum
Miscellaneous => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Umbrian on July 26, 2012, 07:02:29 AM
-
A young Italian "gardening" friend gave me some seeds of what she calls "Bella di Notte" - an annual plant that gives out a wonderful perfume in the evening according to her. They have made strong plants but have not come into bloom yet but my question is -does anyone know the botanical name?
-
Probably Mirabilis jalapa, Carol.
-
Yes, almost certainly M. jalapa (though it's actually a perennial it is usually grown as an annual).
-
If it's a Mirabilis jalapa be very careful. They make huge plants with fleshy tubers which are impossible to eradicate and they seed abundantly where they can steal a drop of water, so usually very close to the roots of another irrigated plant. They got into one of my beds, presumably from a pot I was planting out, and are just a pest.
-
re
gives out a wonderful perfume in the evening
hence the common name four o'clock flower.
Also known as marvel of Peru.
Curiously, I have seen this species growing in a street garden in Geneva - where it can get very cold. It was such a big (and healthy) plant, it can't have started from seed that year. I suspect it was several years old and survived by retreating to its tuber each winter.
-
Mirabilis jalapa is sold as tubers in Norway, you have to treat them like gladioli and chrysanthemums and keep them inside during the winter (not that I have had much luck with them).
I have heard that they can become a nuissance here in Greece, but that has been not my experience, I should wish they were a bit more 'invasive', I suppose it's beacuse of lack of water.
-
In Cyprus, I, too, have seen places where they grow well, and shed a lot of seed, yet there is no plague of offspring.
-
I have to say that my experience is similar to Fleur's. These plants have got a hold in an area to the side of the house and they pop up all over. Clear them from one part and they appear in another.
-
Curious dichotomy of behaviour and/or observation.
Maybe there's a factor affecting germination, or preventing persistence long enough to allow germination?
-
Many thanks to all members who have replied to my original posting - at least I know the botanical name now although I must say that at the moment I prefer the rather romantic "Bella di Notte" I shall reserve judgment on the plants garden worthiness until it has flowered especially with regard to its potential thuggery! Another Italian friend screwed her face up when I told her about it and said the "perfume" was awful and overpowering whilst the donor of the seeds was in raptures over the scent. All a matter of taste of course, well not exactly "taste" ::) but you know what I mean. ;D