Morning Glory is a fast-growing vine that produces beautiful flowers in early spring. This plant is native to North America and grows well in most areas. Morning glory is commonly used as a ground cover, climbing up trellises or fences. It is a popular garden plant due to its attractive blooms and ease of cultivation.
Morning Glories are one of the easiest plants to grow. They require little maintenance once established. They do not tolerate wet soil and should be planted in full sun. They prefer rich, moist soils with lots of organic matter. They are drought tolerant once established.
There are many different types of morning glories available, each with its own unique characteristics. Some varieties bloom early, while others bloom later. Some are tall and slender, while others are short and bushy.
If you’re intrigued by this wonderful plant and want to learn more, or if you’re thinking about growing some in your garden, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll explore the different types and varieties of morning glory. We’ll also look at how to care for them, and explain the difference between morning glory and the much-maligned bindweed.
Different Types of Morning Glory
There are three different types of ornamental morning glories. Each type has its own unique characteristics and uses.
Climbing Morning Glory
This variety of morning glory vine grows upward and outward. Its stems climb up vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, trees, poles, and trellises.
Tall Morning Glory
As their name suggests, tall morning glories are taller than most other varieties. Their stems usually reach heights of 10 feet or more. These vines are ideal for hanging baskets, planters, and window boxes.
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dwarf morning glories are much shorter than most other varieties. They grow about 3 feet tall and spread out over a wide area.
Different Varieties of Morning Glory
There are many varieties of morning glories available. Some of these include:
‘Aurea’ – A dwarf form of ‘Golden Jubilee’. Aurea is a very compact variety that can be grown in containers.
‘Burgundy’ – Burgundy is a medium-sized morning glory with burgundy colored blooms. The leaves are dark green on top and light green underneath.
‘Butterfly Blue’ – An extremely fragrant blue morning glory. Butterflies love it! Butterfly Blue is an easy to grow, low maintenance variety.
‘Chocolate Chip’ – Chocolate Chip is a large, bushy morning glory perfect for hanging baskets and planters.
‘Flamingo Pink’ – A pink flowering morning glory. Flamingo Pink is a great choice for container gardens because it does not need staking.
‘Gold Nugget’ – Gold Nugget is a small, golden yellow morning glory with a bright orange center. It’s a good choice for hanging baskets.
‘Golden Jubilee’ – The best known and most common variety of morning glory. It’s an upright climber that can grow up to 20 feet high.
‘Gotham Beauty’ – A very dark green morning glory. Gotham Beauty is a popular choice for hanging baskets. It spreads quickly and doesn’t need staking.
‘Honeybells’ – Honeybells is a sweet smelling, pale pink morning glory. It’s a good selection for hanging baskets.
‘Honeycomb’ – A small white morning glory. This variety is super attractive to pollinators and is a favorite among beekeepers.
‘Lemon Meringue’ – Lemon Meringue is a very fragrant lemon scented morning glory. It’s perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and planters.
‘Lemon Lime’ – A lemon lime colored morning glory. This variety has a citrus scent and is a good choice for hanging basket and window box plants.
‘Mauve’ – Mauve is a purple morning glory. It’s one of the easiest varieties to grow.
How to Care For Morning Glory
Morning glories are easy to grow and maintain. They do well in both full sunlight and bright indirect light. They prefer moist soil, but will also tolerate dry conditions.
To encourage flowering, provide afternoon shade until the first flower opens. Remove spent blooms to promote new growth.
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing, protect your morning glories from cold weather by covering them with a blanket or plastic wrap.
Morning glories can be grown in containers or planted directly into the ground. You may find that they grow better in larger pots.
When planting, use a mixture of potting soil and sand. Add fertilizer according to label directions. Water regularly.
In warmer climates, morning glories can survive winter outdoors. In colder areas, bring them inside after frost.
The best way to care for this plant is to keep it watered consistently. If you notice any signs of disease or insect damage, visit your local nursery or gardening center to seek advice.
Remove spent blooms from your morning glory. You can either leave them on the plant or pick them off. It is recommended to pick them off because they attract pests. The flowers are edible, so if you want to eat them, just harvest them before they turn brown.
Some people recommend removing all the blooms each year. However, this is not necessary. Just remove the faded blooms.
You can also cut back on watering during dry spells. When you water your plants, make sure to water deeply around the base of the stems. Do not let the foliage sit in water.
If you live in an area where there is heavy rainfall, you might need to consider moving your container indoors during the rainy season. This is because morning glories are very sensitive to overwatering.
In cooler regions, bring your plants into the house after frost has killed off the leaves.
Use fertilizer every two weeks. Use a slow release fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Morning glories can be propagated by taking stem cuttings. Cut the stem and place it in a glass of water with some rooting hormone added. Keep the mixture moist until roots appear.
Make sure to repot your morning glory every few years. Repotting helps prevent root rot and problems.
Morning Glory Plant Family
Morning glories are members of the Convolvulaceae family, which includes other popular garden plants such as potato vines, bindweed, ivy, and honeysuckle.
This plant belongs to the genus Ipomoea, which includes about 300 species of annual herbaceous flowering plants native to tropical America and Africa.
What’s the Difference Between Morning Glory and Bindweed?
Morning glory (Ipomoea) is a perennial vine that grows up to 6 feet tall. The leaves are compound and alternate along the branches. They grow in clusters of 3-5 leaflets. Each leaflet is divided into three lobes.
Bindweed (Convolvulus) is an annual weed that grows up to 2 feet tall. The leaves form a rosette shape and are usually opposite. There are no leaflets.
Both morning glory and bindweed belong to the same genus. However, they are different species.
Morning glory is native to tropical South America and Central America. Bindweed is native to Europe and Asia.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many varieties of morning glory available to grow. Some are more suitable for containers, while others are better suited for ground cover. Choose one based on what type of look you prefer.
The most important thing to remember when growing morning glory is to keep it watered regularly. However, take care not to overwater, as this can create root rot and other problems. It’s about finding a perfect balance. If you do this, your morning glory will thrive!
