Four o'clocks, true to their name, open their flowers only after the sun is gone in late afternoon and into the evening. The pretty, tube-shaped blossoms are small but interesting with contrasting stamens and a sweet perfume. They come in many bright colors including reds, yellows, neon oranges, and hot pinks. The plants themselves are oddly jointed and the foliage unremarkable, but the overall effect when in full bloom is quite unusual.

Four o'clocks have unusual, grenade shaped seeds with hard shells. You might want to soak overnight to facilitate sprouting. Wait until weather has warmed up before planting, and allow ample space as plants tend to get big (about 24" between seedlings). They grow quickly and bloom in midsummer, continuing into the fall.

If you're into collecting seeds, these are fun to gather. Each blossom makes one seed. Keep your eyes on them, so you can grab seeds as they ripen but before they fall out of their husks.