Easy to grow in a variety of situations, these fragrant, 2-inch-long flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow are named for their propensity to open in mid afternoon each day. The plants themselves are rangy, from 2 to 4 feet tall.

Use four o’clocks as big accent plants in beds and border. Sow seeds directly in the soil in full sun. Plant them in spring, after any danger of frost.

The plants may reseed and can live through winter, becoming a perennial in mild climates. From summer through fall, its flowers attract hummingbirds.

Warning

All parts of this plant are poisonous. Choose another annual if you have young children or curious pets.