Long trumpets open to reveal exotic white flowers with a star-shaped magenta eye and tangerine stamens. These elegant flowers will open in the late afternoon and perfume the air with a heady orange blossom fragrance that will last through the night, attracting moths before closing again in the morning. The bushy plants with heart-shaped leaves produce tubers that, like dahlias, can withstand mild frost in well-drained soils or be lifted and overwintered with protection to re-grow the following season. Mirabilis longiflora ‘Angels Trumpets’ is a showy and unusual plant for borders and containers because it is heat and drought tolerant. 80cm (31″) tall, 50cm (20″) spread.
Sowing Information
Sow seeds from February to April.Sow seeds on the surface of lightly firmed, moist compost in pots or trays and cover the seed to its own depth with compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag and put in a warm place, and keep at a temperature of between 20-25C (68-77F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; germination will usually take 7-21 days.
When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost , 30cm (12in) apart.
