Description of mirabilis
Despite the prevailing opinion of many Russian gardeners about the Russian origin of mirabilis, in fact, it was brought from hot Latin American countries. In the literal translation from Latin, the name of this shrub means "extraordinary." Now known are more than 60 varieties
of mirabilis flowers. Growing from seeds in our country is carried out only one of them. It is about a species like Yalapa. Due to the fact that the
flowers bloom from late evening until early morning, the people call it “night beauty”, as well as “dawn”. Our plant is an annual, while in a more favorable climate it has been grown for many years.
Planting and growing
In April, the sowing of seedlings of Mirabilis flowers begins. Growing from seeds in this way is considered the most reliable. After about two to three weeks, the first shoots of the plant will appear from under the ground. After the threat of spring frost has passed, the seedlings can be safely transferred to a permanent place in the garden. For a plant such as mirabilis, planting is carried out at a distance of about 40 cm from neighboring seedlings. These flowers are very fond of warmth and light, and therefore their location should be appropriate. After the beginning of the opening of the leaves, it is recommended to pinch the bushes, which will allow them to grow in width rather than in height and will contribute to the appearance of more flowers. As for the soil, clay and loamy soils containing lime are most suitable for the plant. At the same time, it will not grow in wet or acidic soil. For
mirabilis flowers , seed cultivation is not the only way of propagation. Some gardeners use tubers for this, despite the fact that it is very time-consuming and not entirely effective. Among the advantages of growing should also be noted the drought tolerance of the plant, which does not need constant watering. In leaving, it can be called very unpretentious.
Flowering mirabilis
These shrubs grow very dense and lush, reaching a height of one meter. The flowers of a plant such as mirabilis, growing from the seeds of which we practice more and more every year, have purple, red, pink, yellow or white color. "Dawn" blooms luxuriantly until the start of frost in the autumn. The main feature of these bushes is that on each of them flowers of different shades bloom simultaneously. Moreover, there are times when colorful stripes appear on the petals. Seeds are oval and under a strong shell, which must be removed to ensure a higher level of germination. Mirabilis, the cultivation of which is no longer a wonder in Russia, will be a real discovery, especially for beginner gardeners, because it can decorate any flower bed or flower garden with itself, without requiring much hassle when planting and care. Despite the absence of exotic and spectacular appearance in the flowers of this plant, their pleasant aroma is unlikely to be compared with any other. And especially this is felt in the evening.