Weekend mornings at the coffee shop are busy with older adults which is in marked contrast to weekdays. The NCSU college students are all still sleeping.
The adults are discussing sports, politics, and trying to boast about the accomplishments of their children. Its funny… but I digress.
I like to people watch and catch up with those I only see there on such mornings and, of course, enjoy my iced mocha latte. I have always found the older adult’s viewpoint interesting for their different and varying experiences. The retired professors, especially, seemed opinionated.
Its that time of the year when seeds are ripening in the garden and its time to collect and store them for next year or plant them around the garden.
The Four-o-clocks reliably produce small, black, hard seeds which germinate easily. Its early enough in the season they may germinate and produce a nice plant to survive over the winter. Otherwise, they would drop near the parent plant and produce large colonies.
Four-o-Clocks are named after their habit of opening late in the evening and closing the next morning. They come in a range of colors from white, to hot pink, and pastel shades. There are a few species with long trumpets or fuzzy leaves.
Here in Central North Carolina they are perennial.
They are very easy to grow and relatively pest free. I remember my grandmother in Beaufort, North Carolina always having a patch of them on the side of her house.
Arthur in the Garden! 
Like how you joined these two topics. I get what you are saying about the different crowds at coffee shops depending on the time of day. Which one were you at when you took that nice pic? I’m thinking it was Cup A Joe perhaps? 🙂
LikeLike
Cup-O-Joe on Hillsborough Street. Its my home away from home! 🙂
LikeLike
I love older adults too – they have lived through so much history – and regarding the four o’clocks – never heard of them, they look great though, but I suspect they wouldnt grow here…..
LikeLike
Just found out the latin name is Mirabilis Jalapa and it came to Europe in 1636 …grown as annuals in the UK 🙂
LikeLike
I planted four o’clocks for the first time this year and I am still waiting for a flower. Yours look great.
LikeLike
That’s unusual as they often bloom with in three months or so. Maybe they need a season to mature? I think you will be rewarded very soon!
LikeLike
I should plant some four o’clocks. They are so pretty. I suspect they are an annual over here in the mountains. They are perfect for your climate. Beaufort is a beautiful area.
Sam
LikeLike
A few inches of mulch may help them over winter? They are worth a try.
LikeLike
I find it relaxing to collect their seeds..:-)
LikeLike