Mystery summer blooming bulb plant...

[vanjo]

Hello,

My husband inherited these bulbs from a friend and we don't know what it is. The bulbs were pinkish-white and very large - similar to elephant ear bulbs. These plants grow to about 4' and spread. The flowers open in the morning and in the evening - stay closed during the heat of the day. It blooms continuously through the summer and dies back in the late fall. If someone can id this one, we sure would appreciate it! In the second photo the plant is to the right of our elephant ears - and just as tall! Thank you!

[Jess]

Hi Vanjo.

Mandevilla, possibly splendens?

[vanjo]

Hello!

I looked at photos of mandevilla but I don't believe this is it. This plant isn't a vine (I forgot to mention in the second photo the mystery plant is in the foreground. There is Carolina jessamine growing in the background on the fence. It really is difficult to see the other because the photo is so small - sorry about that!) The flowers on the plant look like petunias, too. I thought it might Mexican petunia but the leaf shape is wrong and I don't think those are bulb plants. What other plants have petunia-like flowers I wonder?

[vanjo]

Here are a few more details about this plant...the leaves are ovate shaped with uneven bases, sharp-pointed tips and a wavy margin. The flowers are trumpet shaped and the stems are more fleshy - like impatiens. Those pics are small so if anyone would like to see a larger version, I would be glad to email them.

Thank you!

[vanjo]

Hmmm, I'm looking at Nicotiana and thinking maybe that's it.

[goldiek64]

They sound like Four o'clocks. Here is some info:

Many Southerners are familiar with the four o'clock. The red, yellow, white or multi-colored flowers open in the afternoon at 4 o'clock, give or take an hour. The blossoms emit a tantalizing fragrance that makes family and friends want to sit on the porch and talk awhile. This performance lasts almost all night and runs from summer through fall.

The four o'clock is known botanically as Mirabilis jalapa and is also known as Beauty-Of-The-Night and Marvel-of-Peru. Though it is native to Peru, you will swear it has Mississippi in its genes by the way it takes to our climate. It will re-seed and form underground tubers, too. Tubers have been known to weigh 40 pounds in native areas. This prolific nature makes it slightly aggressive, and it needs to be managed.

[vanjo]

I hadn't heard of this plant before and from what I'm reading about it - certainly sounds like a match (except these plants are fragrant - darn!).

Thank you so much for your input!