Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia 1g

Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia (California Four O’clock, Wishbone Bush, Coastal Wishbone Plant) is a California native perennial to subshrub valued for its soft green foliage, trailing to sprawling habit, and pink to magenta funnel-shaped flowers. Native to California and northwestern Baja California, it occurs in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, desert-edge, dry washes, slopes, and other well-drained native habitats. This species is especially useful in naturalistic Southern California landscapes where seasonal growth, drought tolerance, and pollinator value are desired. The flowers typically open later in the day or during mild conditions, giving the plant its Four O’clock common name.

Quick Facts:

Botanical Name: Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia

Common Name: California Four O’clock, Wishbone Bush, Coastal Wishbone Plant

Plant Type: California native perennial herb to subshrub

Mature Size: Approximately 1–2 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide, depending on site conditions and support from surrounding plants

Exposure: Full sun to part sun

Water: Low once established; occasional irrigation during establishment

Soil: Well-drained sandy, rocky, gravelly, decomposed granite, alluvial, and native soils

Bloom Season: Winter through spring into summer, with timing varying by rainfall and site conditions

Flower Color: Pink to magenta

Foliage Color: Green

Seasonality: Summer-deciduous or summer-dormant under dry conditions

Wildlife Value: Flowers support native bees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators

Origin: California and northwestern Baja California

California Native: Yes

Landscape Uses: Native gardens, chaparral plantings, coastal sage scrub plantings, dry slopes, habitat gardens, pollinator gardens, restoration projects, informal groundcover plantings, containers, and low-water landscapes

Habit & Size: California Four O’clock forms a low, sprawling to mounding perennial, often reaching approximately 1–2 feet tall and spreading 2–4 feet wide where conditions are favorable. Stems may trail across open ground or weave through nearby shrubs, grasses, and perennials. The foliage is green and somewhat succulent or thick-textured, helping the plant tolerate dry conditions. Pink to magenta flowers are produced over a long season, often opening later in the day and closing during hotter or brighter conditions.

Cultural Requirements: Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia performs best in full sun to part sun with well-drained soil. It is adapted to dry Southern California conditions and should not be treated like a continuously irrigated, lush groundcover. Occasional irrigation during establishment is required, but mature plants generally perform best with low water and good drainage. In hot inland locations, part sun or light afternoon shade can improve appearance. Summer dormancy or seasonal thinning is normal, especially in dry sites, and should not automatically be interpreted as plant failure or the need for additional irrigation.

Landscape Uses: Useful as an informal native groundcover, slope plant, pollinator plant, habitat plant, or seasonal filler in dry native landscapes. It is well suited to coastal sage scrub-inspired plantings, chaparral gardens, restoration projects, dry banks, and naturalistic low-water landscapes where a looser seasonal appearance is acceptable. Because stems can sprawl or weave through adjacent plants, it works well among buckwheats, sages, deerweed, California fuchsia, native grasses, and other dry-adapted Southern California natives. It is generally better suited to informal native plantings than highly maintained commercial landscapes requiring uniform year-round density.

Identification Note: Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia is distinguished by its sprawling to mounding habit, green thick-textured foliage, and pink to magenta funnel-shaped flowers. The common name Wishbone Bush refers to the forked branching structure of the stems, while California Four O’clock refers to the tendency of flowers to open later in the day. It may also be encountered in older references under related or formerly used names within the Mirabilis complex.

Pests and Cultural Considerations: Generally low maintenance when planted in well-drained soil with limited irrigation. The most common issues are cultural rather than pest-related, including excessive irrigation, poor drainage, or expectations of year-round lush growth. Plants may thin, die back, or go dormant during dry summer conditions and then respond with fresh growth when cooler weather and rainfall return. Light trimming can be used to manage sprawled stems or remove dry seasonal growth, but heavy pruning is usually unnecessary and can negatively affect the plant.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia native to California? Yes. It is native to California and also occurs in northwestern Baja California.

What is the common name for Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia? Common names include California Four O’clock, Wishbone Bush, and Coastal Wishbone Plant.

Why is it called California Four O’clock? The flowers often open later in the day or during mild conditions, which gives the plant its Four O’clock common name.

How large does California Four O’clock grow? It typically grows about 1–2 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide, although size varies with rainfall, irrigation, soil, and surrounding vegetation.

What color are the flowers? The flowers are usually pink to magenta and funnel-shaped.

When does California Four O’clock bloom? Bloom timing varies with rainfall and location, but flowering can occur from winter through spring into summer under favorable conditions.

Is California Four O’clock evergreen? No. It is best treated as a seasonal native perennial or subshrub that may become summer-deciduous or summer-dormant under dry conditions.

Is Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia drought tolerant? Yes. Once established, it is drought tolerant and adapted to low-water Southern California landscapes.

Can it grow inland? Yes. It can grow in inland Southern California where drainage is good, but it may look better with part sun or light afternoon shade in hotter locations.

Does California Four O’clock attract pollinators? Yes. The flowers support native bees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Is it a good formal groundcover? No. It is better used as an informal, seasonal native groundcover or habitat plant rather than as a dense, uniform, year-round groundcover.

What problems should be avoided? Avoid poor drainage, frequent summer irrigation, overly rich conditions, and expectations of constant lush growth. Seasonal thinning or dormancy is normal in dry native landscapes.