Mirabilis jalapa (four o'clock flower)

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

In Malta this summer I saw this beautiful plant growing everywhere. Late afternoon it would suddenly bloom with amazing flowers that can be multicoloured half way through a petal and plain the other half.

I would very much like to try growing it it here.. it appears possible, but wonder if anyone has ever tried?

I grow it where I live (southern France, does get very cold in winter). It self seeds very readily, and you can get flowers from a plant from seed in the first season so even if the tubers don't make it through the winter all is not lost.

They smell lovely too!

My garden is south facing and enclosed so I am going to give it a go, thanks !