Morning Glory
(Ipomoea)

Native to the tropics, more than 200 species of morning glories come from the Americas alone. Their requirements are few, and their daily crop of freshly opened blue, purple, pink, scarlet, white or multicolored single or double trumpet-shaped flowers makes them one of the most widely grown of all annual vines. Flowers are normally open only from dawn to midmorning, but the newer varieties tend to hold their flowers open most of the day, especially in cloudy weather. Flowers can be as much as eight inches across although most are around 4 inches.. The vine's abundant leaves are heart-shaped, 4 to 5 inches long.

Morning glory vines grow very fast, reaching 10 feet or more two months after seeds sprout, and they will climb on just about any support. Profusely flowering against a background of pale green foliage, they quickly form lovely hedges or screens. The vines are sometimes used as a temporary ground cover, and do well in hanging baskets and containers. They should be planted in full sun and need a soil that is not too fertile or moist to prevent the production of leaves instead of flowers.

After all danger of frost is past, sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep, 8 to 12 inches apart, and provide a support of twine, wire or a fence or trellis for the vine to climb on. Or start seeds indoors in individual 3-inch peat pots four to six weeks before the last frost is due and set the pots into the garden when you can be sure seedlings will not be nipped by a late frost. Seeds started in flats are not likely to survive transplanting. Before you plant each seed, nick it with a file to help it absorb water and germinate more quickly. Alternatively, the seeds may be soaked overnight in tepid water to soften their coats.

Type: annual Propagation: seeds Light: full sun Flower Color: blue, purple, pink, scarlet, white Bloom Time: early summer to mid-fall Height: - Width: - Soil Requirements: any soil-not too fertile Zones: all Uses: trellis, fence, hanging basket, windowboxes and containers, temporary ground cover