woodland wildflower
Colorado Four o'Clock
Mirabilis multiflora
1 of 2Native to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah
Southwestern Colorado and Utah, south to northern Mexico
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Oct Flowering time
- Height
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its pink flowers peak in May.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Colorado Four o'Clock's pink flowers bloom April to October, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws moths and butterflies.
Colorado Four o'Clock blooms pinkFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Moths White-lined Sphinx also Five-spotted Hawk Moth, Great Ash Sphinx
- Butterflies Painted Lady also Pahaska Skipper
- Bees Western Honey Bee
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Painted ladynectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and UtahUnited States (7): AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southwestern Colorado and Utah, south to northern MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Dry, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- LowHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 12+ in (30+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–OctWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Accessory; ripens May–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- SeedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- ModerateHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.