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Morning Glory vine

Filed under: — admin @ 9:21 am


If you need to cover a trellis or fence in a short amount of time consider planting an annual vine. Annual flowering vines tend to grow vigorously and continue to bloom until frost kills them. They provide a vertical interest to a garden, add privacy and shade, block the wind, and camouflage any unsightly view.

Morning glory vine (Ipomoea tricolor) is a fast growing tender vine that can easily climb a trellis or fence by twining itself around the support. The funnel-like flowers open in the morning, hence the name morning glory.
The vine can be started from seeds indoors 4-5 wks before the last frost date or sown directly into the ground after the soil warms up. Before planting, scrape the seed coat with sandpaper and soak in water overnight to allow better germination. Plant in any type of soil but it grows better in poor, infertile soil and blooms best in full sun to light shade.

Once established Morning glory can self-seed and spread becoming a weedy plant, smothering plants and difficult to control in the flowerbed. To avoid this problem be sure to remove the seed pods. Grow it in a container or adjacent to a sidewalk were it can be managed. The large flowered cultivars tend to reseed less.

Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) has large flowers in shades of red, white and blue. “Heavenly Blue” cultivar of (Ipomoea tricolor) is a popular blue color.
A compact series with variegated foliage ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Mini Bar Rose’ can be grown in baskets and containers.
Another vine worth mentioning is Moon Vine (Ipomoea alba) which produces heart-shaped-leaves and large fragrant white flowers. Because the flowers open from dusk to dawn, this vine can be enjoyed in the evening garden, by the light of the silvery moon.

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3 Comments on Morning Glory vine»

  1. I want to save seeds from summer flowers such as Morning Glories, Hollyhocks, etc. How and when do you do this? Thank you, Pam & Donna

    Saving seeds is a matter of observing and right timing. When the plant matures, blooms and then starts to produce seeds you need to watch when seed capsules ripen or turn brown. At this point, they may split open when dry and spill their seeds, unless you cut or break off the capsules and spread them on a tray or paper to dry. The seeds should fall out of their “container", some may need to be coaxed out with your fingers. Remove and discard any debris. Annuals such as morning glories can be stored in labeled envelopes or small jars in a cool, dry, dark place. The black seeds are in globe-like capsules. Let the capsules dry and they should open on their own or gently squeeze to remove the seeds. Perennials like hollyhocks will naturally sow their fresh seeds immediately but can also be stored as mentioned for next spring planting. You can start saving hollyhock seeds 2-3 wks after blooming. It has donut shaped pods that mature from the bottom of the plant upwards. Pick brown pods and allow them to dry until they unfold. Some flowers take more work to winnow out the seeds but always make sure that all seeds are completely dry before storing.

    Comment by Pam Loveland — 4/3/2008 @ 10:10 am

  2. i recently moved into a new house and there are morning glory vines everywhere, what is the best way to get this plant back under control.

    Hi Anne

    Invasive Morning glories is the negative result of growing them where they can spread. They reseed easily so at this point you will have to be vigilant and pull the seedlings when they come up before they get a chance to grow and spread. There is no easy way. It may take a few years to erradicate the plant completely. Be sure to pick off all the seed pods to keep it from reseeding.

    Comment by anne shaw — 5/3/2008 @ 1:45 pm

  3. Hi,

    I planted morning glories from seeds about two months ago. The leaves look quite healthy & are starting to put out runners. Within the last two days a noticed quite a few holes in the leaves. Looks like something is eating the leaves, but I didn’t spot any worms or anything anywhere around them. Any suggestions as to what to dust them with or spray on the foliage?

    Hi Janet
    Unless your leaves are being severely chewed up, I would not recommend any type of spraying. Morning glories grow so fast that they will most likely outgrow any damage. Spraying it with chemicals may do more harm to other beneficial insects. Before you can spray any insecticides, you need to know what kind of insect you want to kill.

    Comment by Janet Gibson — 5/9/2008 @ 10:26 pm

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