Morning Glories

A "volunteer" plant each year, self seeding

Credit: Mary Powell

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Botanical name: Ipomoea

Plant type: Flower

Sun exposure: Full Sun

Soil type: Any, Sandy, Loamy

Flower color: Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, White

Bloom time: Summer, Fall

Morning glories are annual climbers with slender stems, heart-shaped leaves, and trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, purple-blue, magenta, or white. They have a beautiful shape before they unfold in the Sun and romantic tendrils that lend old-fashioned charm.

In warmer areas, train climbers over a pergola or arch, or use as dense groundcover. The vine grows quickly up to 15 feet in one season, and can self-seed fairly easily, too.

The flowers bloom from early summer to the first frost. Their big, fragrant, colorful flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Note that the seeds are highly toxic if ingested.

Planting

• Grow annuals in a sunny, sheltered site. They need a lot of sun.
• Plant in moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
• Choose a site that is sheltered from cold or drying winds.
• Sow Morning Glory seeds early in the season once the ground has warmed to 64 degrees F.
• File the seeds just long enough to break the coat and soak them for 24 hours before planting them. (They look like little worms.)
• Cover lightly with 1/4-inch of soil. Space about 6 inches apart. Water thoroughly.

Care

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer after planting and monthly.
• Support climbers and trailing species.
• Morning glories are low-maintenance. Water during dry periods.
• Mulch to retain moisture and avoid weeds.

Pests

• White blister, rust, fungal leaf spots, stem rot, thread blight, charcoal rot, and wild occur.
• Deer can be a nuisance.

Recommended Varieties

• 'Heavenly Blue' are the classic morning glories with the rich azure (blue) flowers with white throats. It climbs to 12 feet.
• 'Scarlett O'Hara' has bright red flowers with a white throat. It climbs to 15 feet.

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Photo credit: Audrey Lucas

Special Features

• Attracts Butterflies
• Attracts Birds