How to kill 4 o'clocks

[crazzzymike13]

I am being over run by 4 o'clocks. Any advice on how to kill them?? They are a headache. The original owner of the house had them Everywhere. I mean Everywhere!! The are hard to kill. Any advice???

 

[elf]

Put an ad on Craigslist for folks to come dig, dig, dig. And cut them this year before they go to seed, for as you know, they reseed like crazy. Lots of folks want them because of the heavenly fragrance. But you're right; they do take over.

 

[journey11]

My mom has had the same problem. I agree with elf, tell people they can have them if they want to come dig them!

 

[lesa]

Is this plant also called Primrose?? If so, it not only reseeds, it spreads through it's root system... If you hack off the flowers before it goes to seed, you should cut down on the spreading.

 

[hoodat]

I could be wrong but I don't think four oclocks have a rhizome. If I'm not mistaken they spread only by seed.

 

[crazzzymike13]

They have a bunch of runner roots. They are horrible!!!

 

[elf]

A lady brought me some roots to identify and keep from a house she'd just bought. They were 4 o'clock roots the size of huge sweet potatoes. I remember that one root stuck out of a 3 gallon pot. Those turned out to be 2 toned- yellow striated with magenta - quite striking! My others are magenta with white streaks and some solid magenta ones. Those bloom first. What colors do you have?

 

[seedcorn]

I'd love to see picture because my four o'clocks are an annual that spreads by seed only. Sounds like there are 2 plants that go by same name.

 

[chris09]

I'd love to see picture because my four o'clocks are an annual that spreads by seed only. Sounds like there are 2 plants that go by same name.

I agree with seedcorn, all the 4 o'clocks I have seen spreads by seed only..

Chris

 

[elf]

Mine have that big sweet potato root, but only spread by seed that I've noticed.