Morning glory - planting and care, photos, design examples

The climbing plant morning glory is widely used in the garden, on balconies and terraces. This hassle-free ornamental vine grows quickly and luxuriantly. There are several varieties, differing mainly in the color of the flowers. This interesting plant will help create a cozy relaxation area that blooms with beautiful flowers in the morning. How to grow morning glory - planting and care in open ground and pots are discussed in this article.

Features of morning glory

Ipomoea, grown in garden plots at mid-latitudes, is a garden morning glory, a vine about 5 m long. The heart-shaped shoots are densely leafy. The large flowers are very fragrant and they have long stalks. The shoots are densely covered with flowers that open early in the morning and turn to follow the sun. Their closure is observed at noon, but if the day is cloudy, this can only happen in the evening. Double or simple flowers have a shape similar to a gramophone trumpet; they can be painted in a variety of colors, for example: red, blue, white, pink, etc. Flowering begins in the first weeks of summer and ends with the onset of frost. Under natural conditions, such a vine is a perennial, but in mid-latitudes it is cultivated as an annual plant.

IPOMOIA from sowing to flowering. How best to grow morning glory

Description of the plant

Morning glory is a close relative of the common field bindweed, of which there are 500 species.

This plant is found anywhere, preferring the tropics and subtropics. Morning glory grows as a tree, shrub or vine, and its lifespan ranges from one year to several.

Water spinach and sweet potato, members of the morning glory genus, are eaten and revered by some peoples.

Gardeners decorate their plots with morning glory. The plant is loved because the vine’s flowers open at sunrise at a time when others are just getting ready to awaken.

Garden morning glory is one of the most common vines grown in the middle zone. The length reaches 5 m, and the shoots are densely covered with foliage and numerous flowers.

Large flowers are held on long stalks, which helps them rotate freely with the movement of the sun.

Morning glory flowers open at sunrise and close by midday. If the day turns out to be cloudy, the flowers remain open until sunset.

Plants of this genus, having a strong external similarity, can differ greatly not only in size, but also in flower color. The familiar and widespread blue morning glory is far from the only specimen of a large family.

morning glory looks with its edges as if covered with fluff.

But ordinary flowers of other colors are no less wonderful: red, white, pink. The liana, reaching a length of 5 m and densely covered with green foliage with numerous flowers, begins to bloom in early summer and ends by mid-autumn.

Wild morning glory is perennial, garden varieties are annual.

Morning glory propagates by seeds, which in the wild disperse on their own. Seeds of cultivated varieties are stored for up to four years.

Types of morning glory

The morning glory liana includes 500 species. There are only 25 popular among gardeners.

Cairo or blue morning glory blooms with delicate blue flowers. Its homeland is considered to be Asia and Australia.

Leaves of this type look like helicopter blades. The edges are carved. Growing up to five meters in length, blue morning glory is capable of covering a huge surface with a thick carpet.

Ipomoea purpurea can grow up to 8 m in length. The oval leaves are arranged in pairs opposite each other.

The flower itself is found not only in purple, but also in blue and lilac. This species comes from the tropical forests of America and includes various varieties, among which the morning glory Zvezda is popular, which, like all representatives of this species, is an annual plant.

Ipomoea quamoclite is amazing. Its delicately carved leaves look impressive, resembling the leaves of a date palm in shape. The flowers are bright, in a tubular shape.

Numerous varieties are loved by gardeners for good reason. Among them are Slaughter's Quamoclite, pinnate quamoclite and Red morning glory, whose bright flowers stand out against the background of green leaves.

The tricolor type of morning glory has a mixture of several colors at once. The large flowers of this vine are light blue with a white base, which at the end of flowering change their heavenly hue to purple or pink.

The size of each individual flower reaches 10 cm in diameter, and even larger foliage is shaped like a heart.

Application of morning glory

Morning glory has found application in the design of areas adjacent to the house, as a decoration for gazebos, and in the form of a living and colorful carpet on the vertical planes of the fence.

This plant is also respected because it is grown in pots and on balconies, framing the entrance to the entrance or providing beauty and shade to the loggia.

Ipomoea ampelous can grow in long and shallow containers attached to the balcony railings. The morning glory flower is not demanding. Just remember that morning glory is an annual plant and every spring you will need to sow new seeds.

In addition to its design advantages, the vine is loved for its medicinal properties, thanks to which it is used in folk medicine.

At the same time, some varieties are not used, others are partially used. The former did not find application due to the presence of psychotropic and toxic substances in the plant.

The second ones are used for problems with the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding, psycho-emotional states and other health problems.

Traditional healers recommend using decoctions, infusions, and juice from the plant. Morning glory leaves are used to strengthen and improve the condition of hair, and the juice from the root vegetable is used as a sedative.

Sweet potato tubers are used as a main dish, like ordinary potatoes with a sweet taste. It is recommended for consumption by people suffering from diabetes. Only the morning glory flower has not found use, but this does not make the plant itself less beloved and wonderful.

Growing morning glory from seeds

Sowing

To propagate morning glory, the generative (seed) method is used. The seeds of this vine remain viable for 3–4 years. Seeds are sown for seedlings in mid-May, but before that they should be scarified (to break the integrity of the shell); instead, they can be placed in lukewarm (25 to 30 degrees) water to swell for 24 hours. In the case when seed swelling is not observed , it is necessary to carefully pierce their shell with a needle, after which the seed is soaked again.

It is imperative to take into account that each species requires a certain soil mixture, and this is the main difficulty in growing morning glory. To sow African species, you need to use a soil mixture intended for succulent plants, into which you should add small expanded clay. To sow seeds of American varieties, you need to use a substrate consisting of peat, coconut fiber, leaf humus, vermiculite and fine expanded clay (2: 2: 4: 2: 1).

Small cups need to be filled with a suitable substrate, after which 2–4 seeds are placed in them, the top of the container should be covered with film or glass, the result will be a kind of mini-greenhouse. If necessary, water the crops, provide them with regular ventilation, remove condensation from the shelter, and also maintain the air temperature within 18–20 degrees. If everything is done correctly, the first seedlings should appear after 10–12 days.

HOW TO GROW IPOMOIA SEEDLINGS AT HOME!

Seedling care

After the seedlings reach a height of 15 centimeters, a cord will need to be tied to their base, its other end should be pulled up and fixed in this position. The resulting guide will become a support for the growing plant. As the seedlings grow, they need to be transplanted 1 or 2 times into a larger container, using the transfer method, but be careful, since the root system should not be exposed or injured. Pinching the plants will ensure that they grow more side shoots.

Methods of propagation and planting of a climbing flower

Morning glory reproduces in several ways:

self-seeding. After the seeds ripen, the plant discards them. They overwinter in the ground, and in the spring they appear as sprouts from the ground;
seeds. Purchased or collected seeds are sown in specially prepared soil;
seedlings. Seeds are germinated indoors or in greenhouses, and then planted in the ground;
cuttings. The possibility of reproduction in this way exists only in some species of morning glory.

The new plant develops quickly and grows well in chalky, loose soil. Periodically, the soil is enriched with organic fertilizers. The distance between flower crops should not be less than 20 cm from each other. Gardeners most often use the second and third methods of propagating morning glory. How morning glory is grown is described in detail in this article.

Growing using seedlings

Growing seedlings is justified for regions with cold climates. Already formed shoots are planted in open ground.

Before planting seeds, it is necessary to prepare them in advance; this is mandatory for keeping plants in pots. To make them swell, they are dipped in water for a while. The soil for planting is fertilized in advance.

You need to start growing seedlings at the end of March. So it will germinate by the beginning of May and will be ready for planting. To plant, you need to take a number of actions and take into account some features:

prepare cups or small pots, pour a sufficient amount of prepared soil into them;
lower 1-3 pieces to a depth of 3-5 cm. seeds;
water the soil generously;
When growing seedlings in large boxes, it is worth installing special supports when young greenery appears. They will allow the plants to weave and not get confused with each other;
for the healthy development and growth of young morning glory, select rooms with good lighting and a stable temperature of at least +18 °C;
The appearance of the first shoots should be expected on the 10th day after sowing;
watering plants is carried out with water at room temperature;
grown flowers must be replanted from time to time in larger containers. This will allow them to develop faster;
to ensure good branching of the plant and the formation of a large number of side shoots, you can pinch its top;
seedlings that have reached 20-25 cm can be planted in open ground.

Planting morning glory in the ground should be done as carefully as possible. The roots of the plant are quite delicate and can be easily damaged.

The soil in the pot can be moistened to facilitate the replanting process. After planting, you should immediately install a support for climbing flowers. But this article shows how to properly water an Orchid.

Breeding morning glory by seeds

Using seeds is the most optimal method for warm regions. They are planted at the end of May, when the earth has completely warmed up. Before planting, the seeds are placed in water at a temperature of 25-30 °C. If they do not swell well, their shell is pierced with a needle and placed again in the liquid.

Morning glory seeds

Planting seeds in the ground has its own nuances and sequence:

small depressions are created with a distance of 20 cm;
each hole must be additionally fertilized with wood ash or bird droppings;
1-3 pieces are lowered into the pit. seeds and fall asleep;
water the soil abundantly with warm water;
After the first stems appear, special supports are placed near the plants.

The addition of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil along with fertilizers will ensure that the plant actively gains green mass.

Planting morning glory in open ground

What time to plant

Planting mature morning glory seedlings in open soil should be done in the last days of May or the first days of June. This should be done after the soil has warmed up thoroughly and the threat of return spring frosts has passed.

Rules for planting seedlings

To plant young plants in open ground, the transshipment method is used. A distance of 20 centimeters must be maintained between bushes. After planting, you need to install support over the plants, for example, you can stretch a fishing line or use a lattice of twigs.

Seeds can be sown directly into open soil. Sowing is carried out in the last days of May, after the threat of return frosts has passed. For planting, you must choose a windless and well-lit area. This vine grows best in slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

When cultivating such a plant, it is important to remember that all its parts contain a large amount of poison. In this regard, this vine should only be grown outdoors.

Mr. Summer Resident informs: why doesn't morning glory bloom?

There are many reasons for stagnant growth, all caused by different aspects. However, if all is well, subject to all the nuances, flowering should begin in July. If flowering activates later than this time, or vice versa earlier, this is normal. Deviations in time are normal, within 10-15 days.

If the vines are regularly inspected for diseases, viruses and pests, and the flowering period begins to lag by more than half a month, you need to start looking for the cause of the problem.

The first reason for stagnation may be fertilizer containing nitrogen. It is necessary to use such an amount of fertilizer that the soil has the optimal content of this substance; if it is more or less than the norm, this can easily lead to stagnation.
The second reason is the issue of watering. Here the situation is exactly the same. It is necessary to maintain optimal soil moisture; if there is a lack of water, the plant will begin to wither, as a result of which this can lead to death. From an excess of moisture, a fungal disease can form, which can lead to cutting out most of the plant, and those planted nearby can also become infected.
The third reason is non-compliance with the rules for planting morning glory in open ground. If the plant was planted later than the required time, then the process of growth and flowering may be seriously delayed, and by the onset of frost it may not be completed at all. Which will lead to a waste of time, since the plant will most likely die without blooming.

All these reasons are not critical; at the first signs of stagnation in growth, you must immediately determine where it lies. After which, the situation is easily corrected. In the case of excess or deficiency of nitrogen, various indicators that are sold in specialized flower shops will help. The situation with excess or lack of moisture can also be easily corrected. Depending on the stage of growth, it is necessary to navigate the soil moisture, leaving its top layer always slightly moist.

In case of late planting in the soil, there is no need to do anything. Moreover, use any fertilizers that supposedly significantly accelerate growth. This will add another problem. You just need to give the morning glory more time, if it doesn’t have time to bloom before frost, transplant it into a separate pot and place it in a greenhouse. This will allow it to finish growing in conditions favorable to it, even if it is already mid-autumn outside.

Morning glory care

Watering

Watering morning glory should be systematic, but moderate. Do not allow liquid to stagnate in the plant’s root system. In May–August, these flowers should be watered regularly, and there is no need to wait until the top layer of soil dries out.

Feeding

Feed the vine during the period of intensive growth once every 15–20 days. For this purpose, fertilizers are used for cacti or for ornamental flowering plants. But remember, if you overfeed morning glory, especially with fertilizers containing nitrogen, this will have a positive effect on foliage growth, but an extremely negative effect on flowering. In this regard, the vine should be fed in moderation. The concentration of fertilizers should be the same as that used for indoor flowers.

Trimming

Sometimes the vine needs pruning. So, you need to cut out all injured or diseased shoots. It is recommended to prune in September, which will allow the morning glory to be put in order before wintering. In spring, the bushes should be thinned out, with no more than 3 shoots remaining on each of them. There are times when such a vine needs thinning during the growing season.

Propagation of morning glory by cuttings

There are species of this vine, for propagation of which cuttings are used. For example, morning glory sweet potatoes are propagated in this way. Trim several morning glory stems and take cuttings from them, keeping in mind that they should have 2 internodes and be between 15 and 20 centimeters long. The lower cut of the cutting should be made at an angle of 45 degrees, 1.5 cm below the node. From the bottom of the cuttings you need to tear off all the leaf plates, after which they need to be placed in water. The roots should grow within 3–5 days, after which it is recommended to immediately plant the cuttings in the soil. The liana is grown in a warm place (20 to 25 degrees). In the substrate, morning glory takes root completely within 7 days. Approximate time frame for rooting cuttings:

green cuttings - in March or April;
semi-lignified or green cuttings - summer.

IPOMOIA two ways to grow in 10 minutes / Vegetable garden in containers

Morning glory ivy

This species received its name for the similarity of the foliage to ivy leaves - the same voluminous, three-lobed and heart-shaped. The liana reaches 3 meters in height, the flowers are not too large - up to 5 cm in diameter. They are collected in small bunches of 2-3 pieces, the color varies depending on the variety - there are blue, pink and red specimens.

In the Russian climate, the Roman Candy variety has earned great popularity, as it easily adapted to it. The vines of this variety grow up to 2.5 meters, the leaves are feathery, with a white-green color. The flowers are bright, cherry-white, and quite large.

Pests and diseases of morning glory

Diseases

Morning glory can become infected with fungal diseases, for example: anthracnose, white rust and various types of rot - root, stem, black, soft; viral diseases (there are approximately 20 different viruses); as well as a physiological disease - white edema.

Infection of vines by fungal diseases most often occurs through the soil, especially if liquid constantly stagnates in it. Plants affected by such diseases can be cured; to do this, rotten areas should be cut out and the bush itself should be sprayed with a fungicidal preparation. However, root, soft and stem rot are considered incurable, and therefore diseased bushes must be dug up and destroyed. An effective cure for viral diseases has also not yet been found, so diseased vines must also be dug up and burned. White swelling is a non-infectious disease; it affects only those vines that were grown at home or in a greenhouse. The development of such a disease is observed with very frequent watering, excessively low temperatures and high air humidity. In diseased plants, cones and blisters form on the leaf blades, colored green or light yellow, which eventually changes to brown. After this, the foliage turns yellow and flies off. In order to prevent such a disease, you should adhere to the rules of agricultural technology for this crop.

Pests

The greatest danger to morning glory comes from harmful insects such as aphids and spider mites. If there are few pests, then you can try to eliminate them using gentle methods. To exterminate aphids, the bush is sprayed with soapy water, while spider mites can be gotten rid of with cold water. If there are a lot of insects, then the bush will need to be sprayed with a systemic insecticide, for example: Karbofos, Actellik, Akarin or Fitoverm.

How to collect morning glory seeds

What time to collect seeds

Experts advise collecting seeds from the second and third buds. After the flowers fade, a brown box forms in their place; wait until it dries and opens a little. As a rule, this happens after 4 weeks. Pour the seeds into a paper bag, on which you should write the name of the variety. The seeds remain viable for 3–4 years.

Morning glory in winter

In mid-latitudes, morning glory is cultivated as an annual plant. In this regard, in the autumn, after the leaves have flown, the shoots can be cut off, and the area should be dug up; do not forget to select and destroy all the rhizomes. In spring, sow the seeds again, and you will again have a spectacular vine. It should also be taken into account that morning glory reproduces well by self-sowing, so there is a high probability that friendly shoots of this vine will appear in the place where it grew in the spring.

In landscape design

Morning glory is ideal for landscaping vertical surfaces. It goes well with wild grapes, ivy, and hops. In autumn, the flowers pair beautifully with green hop cones.

Morning glory also combines with deciduous trees, especially in the fall.

In landscape design, morning glory is planted to decorate verandas and open gazebos, retro-style lanterns, and walls of various buildings.

Important! The culture does not tolerate even the slightest frost.

Types and varieties of morning glory with photos and names

As mentioned above, there are more than 500 species of morning glory, but of these, only 25 species are cultivated by gardeners. Below we will describe those that are most popular.

Morning glory Cairo (Ipomoea cairica)

This species is native to Australia and Asia. The stems of this plant can reach 5 meters in length. It blooms very profusely with blue flowers. During flowering, this morning glory looks like a carpet. The palm-shaped, lobed leaf blades are carved.

Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

This vine is an annual. The surface of the shoots has pubescence; their length can reach up to 8 meters. Opposite bare leaf blades may be lanceolate or oval in shape. The length of single gramophone flowers is about 70 mm; they can be colored dark purple, blue, pink, red, purple or white. There is a variety with a variegated color or with double flowers. This species is native to the tropics of America. Available varieties: Starfish, Scarlett O'Hara, Nochka, Giselle.

Morning glory Nile (Ipomoea nil, Ipomoea imperialis), or in Japanese asagao (morning face)

This highly branching vine is an annual; it can reach three meters in length. Opposite large leaves have a broad oval shape, dark green color and long petioles. The funnel-shaped flowers reach 10 centimeters in diameter and can be colored dark or light blue, purple, red or pink. Flowering begins in mid-summer and continues until October. Varieties:

Pikoti - semi-double flowers have a red or blue color and a white edging;
hybrid Serenade - corrugated double flowers reach 80 mm in diameter, they are colored lilac or dark red.

Ipomoea tricolor (Ipomoea tricolor), or red-blue morning glory (Ipomoea rubro-caerulea)

The homeland of this species is the tropics of America. This perennial plant is cultivated in mid-latitudes as an annual. The length of the shoots is about 4–5 meters. The opposite, long-petiolate large leaf blades are heart-shaped, wrinkled and glabrous. The flowers are funnel-shaped, reaching 80–100 mm in diameter, collected in bunches of 3 or 4 pieces. The flowers are light blue, with a white tube, but after they fade, they acquire a purplish-pink hue. Flowering begins in the first days of June and ends with the first frost. Some varieties are distinguished by the fact that they contain psychotropic substances that are used in medicine. The following varieties are popular with gardeners: Pink Lollipop, Blue Star, Sky Blue and Flying Saucer.

Morning glory (Ipomoea hederacea)

This annual vine is native to the tropics of America. The length of the branched stem is from 2 to 3 meters. The large leaf blades have a three-lobed, heart-shaped shape, similar to ivy foliage. The flowers are funnel-shaped and reach approximately 50 mm in diameter. As a rule, they are painted sky blue, they are also found with a white border, and they can also be painted burgundy, red and pink. There are 2 or 3 flowers on a long peduncle. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the second half of autumn. There is a variety called Roman Candy: the leaf blades have a variegated green and white color; it can be cultivated as an hanging plant.

Morning glory (Ipomoea noctiflora)

The homeland of this species is also the American tropics. The length of the stems is about 3 meters, and the shoots are up to 6 meters. Large leaf blades are heart-shaped. The fragrant flowers are white, reaching about 10 centimeters in diameter; they open at night, and their closure is observed with the first rays of the sun. Not all gardeners know about this feature, so some of them complain that their vine does not bloom. However, on a cloudy day, the flowers close only towards evening, and in this case it becomes possible to enjoy their extraordinary beauty. Flowering begins in July or August and ends in October.

Kvamoklit

This morning glory has carved openwork leaf plates and tubular small flowers. The most popular varieties are: Quamoclit pennata, Quamoclit x sloteri, Quamoclit coccinea and Quamoclit lobata.

In addition to these species, those that are somewhat less popular among gardeners are: morning glory palmate, lobed, Brazilian, Moorish, etc.

Description of morning glory

The genus Ipomoea has about 500 species. About 25 species are used in decorative floriculture. The homeland of this plant is tropical America. In cultivation, this flower is unpretentious, relatively undemanding to soil, and grows best in open, sunny places. If we want to get a profusely flowering plant, then we can feed it with mineral fertilizer with a low nitrogen content - its excess causes the growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering. During drought, if possible, water it, but this vine cannot tolerate stagnant water.

Morning glory is propagated by seeds, which are sown in open ground in the spring. In the southern regions, morning glory self-sows. If we want early flowering, we can try to grow it through seedlings, but the plant does not tolerate transplantation well. When planting seedlings, it is necessary to preserve a lump of earth. Morning glory is good for shading sunny terraces or gazebos.

Whole, arrow-shaped at the base, leaves on long petioles are alternately located on strong, slightly twisted stems. The stems, twining around any support, are covered with funnel-shaped flowers from mid-June to mid-autumn. The corolla of the morning glory flower is formed by fused petals with a pentagonal bend; this shape is also called a “gramophone”.

Dense shoots and a large number of flowers allow morning glory to turn into a solid green carpet, which can cover not only gazebos and balconies, but also old fences and peeling walls. The green figures or “huts” made of bindweed are very beautiful.

On the dial of the “flower clock”, morning glory takes first place - its flowers bloom earlier than those of other plants. For which they received the name “morning glory” in England. The long stalks can turn many times during the day, so the beautiful flowers always face the sun. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the first frost. In the land of the rising sun, Japan, the plant is called askagao, which also means “glory to the morning.” Breeders have developed many varieties of morning glory.

Different varieties differ from each other in the shape and color of the flowers. If previously we mostly found purple or red-blue morning glory, now we can find flowers of any color.

The same can be said about the shape of the flower itself: for example, in the morning glory purple terry the corolla petals form several rows, and in the violin morning glory there are large creamy-white flowers with a purple spot in the corolla tube. New varieties have flower diameters of about 10 cm. A real treasure for gardeners is the Heavenly Blue variety. A huge gramophone. The color of the corolla is sky blue or purple, and its central part is white and yellow.

A wild relative of morning glory is the field bindweed, or popularly the birch tree. All summer residents know this weed, the roots of which are not easy to get rid of. In its flowers, leaves and creeping stems, it exactly replicates the cultivated morning glory. One plant produces up to 600 slowly germinating seeds. Distributed everywhere: European part, Crimea, Caucasus, all of Siberia, Far East, Central Asia.

Surely, not everyone knows that there are relatives of our weed abroad, such as pitted and ivy-shaped morning glory. They are common in Latin American countries. Morning glory has been reported in Japan, while morning glory is a noxious weed in most states and has been reported in the UK and Israel. They infest all agricultural lands and uncultivated lands, disturbing the phytocenosis.

The type of morning glory can only be determined by its seeds; each species has its own characteristics. In Ipomoea pitata, the seed hilum is horseshoe-shaped, large, smooth, and in Ipomoea ivy-shaped, the seed hilum is also horseshoe-shaped, but covered with stiff hairs.