Morning Glory
They are
About Morning Glories
Ipomoea is the name for the huge family more commonly
known as Morning Glories. These include perennials,
biennials and annuals. They range in color from pink to white
to deep blue. They grow in vines and bushes. Sounds
confusing? Don't worry. No matter what variety you pick,
they have the same general requirements. And their showy
flowers are a delightful choice.
Site Preparation
The most popular morning glories grow as vines. They will
therefore need some kind of support as well as full sun,
particularly in the morning hours. Planting them right next to
a wall may block the sun. The best solution is to plant them
next to a fence, if possible. For the most part, morning
glories grow easily from seed, but you can also transplant a
vine that has begun to grow. Till the soil until it is soft and
crumbly. Add a spade-full of compost.
Planting
Sow morning glory seeds about 1 week after the last frost. If
you are planting seeds, you need to prepare the seeds first.
Since they have a hard, outer seed-coat, soak the seeds in
warm water for about 2 hours. Then, make half-inch holes
(use your finger) in the spot you chose. Place 1 seed in each
hole, and each seed about 6 inches apart. Once 1 plant
starts to outgrow the others, take the other ones out.
Morning glories will grow quickly, and they need all the room
they can get. If you are transplanting, make sure the vine is
as deep into the soil as it was before.
Care
As the vine starts to grow, you may want to train it. Twist it
around its support, very gently. Water the morning glory
regularly, but be careful to avoid overwatering. You should
have blooms from early summer until early winter. The
flowers will bloom, as the name indicates, in the morning.
Choosing a Variety
Choosing a type of morning glory is highly dependent on
personal preferences. A popular choice is Heavenly Blue,
which has deep cobalt-periwinkle blossoms. Grandpa Ott's
are a deep eggplant color. You can also buy the seeds in
mixed bags. This is a great idea if you are using the vine for
a border: the colors of various plants will mix together and
look just incredible.
Special Features
Some species are hallucinogens. This includes the ever-
popular Heavenly Blue, as well as Pearly Gates, Flying
Saucers and Wedding Bells. Some call this a special feature.
But it is also a warning to keep children and animals away
from the seeds and plants.
Overview
The morning glory family comprises more than 1,000
different species, including annuals and perennials, shrubs,
trees and climbers. Morning glory flowers emerge in a burst
of different colors, usually tubular or funnel-shaped.
truly "here today, gone tomorrow" because they open and
close within the same day.
Species Profile
Ipomoea purpurea, or common morning glory, is native to
tropical North and South America but grow in many other
regions and countries. The large, open-trumpet, purple
flowers flourish on vines that reach to about 16 feet in
height. Their general flowering season is between July and
September.
Colors
Heavenly blue morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) exhibits
flowers that are about 3 inches in diameter. The flowers are
bright blue, fading to reddish purple. This South American
morning glory responds to a place in the sun and well-
drained soil. White flowers characterize Ipomoea alba, better
known as moon flowers or belles-de-nuit. They are fragrant,
trumpet like blooms that grow on climbers. The flowers are
about 6 inches in diameter and tend to open in the early
evening. They flourish in South America and tropical North
America. The ivy-leaved morning glory (Ipomoea cairica) is
indigenous to tropical Africa and Asia. This perennial
features lilac-colored blooms and leathery, dark green
leaves. The redstar morning glory (Ipomoea coccinea) has
bright red flowers with pale yellow throats.
All in the Family
Two versions of the yellow morning glory are both members
of the Convolvulaceae family, but one is from the genus
Merremia, and the other is from the genus Ipomoea. The
Merremia aurea yellow morning glory is native to Mexico. Its
summertime blooms are between 2 to 4 inches in diameter.
The other yellow morning glory, Ipomoea hederifolia var.
lutea, is native to the Americas but also grows in India. It is
commonly called yellow ivy leaf morning glory or yellow
trumpet morning glory. It exhibits smaller, bright yellow to
orange blooms.
History in Europe
Ipomoea indica, or blue dawn morning glory, has large,
purple-blue blooms that flower profusely. Ipomoea indica is
indigenous to South America and was introduced to Britain
by Henry John Mandeville (1773-1861), British minister to
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Subsequently, at a nursery in
Chelsea, the Ipomoea indica grew to 40 feet in length and
produced a record 60,000 flowers, progressing from 300 to
800 flowers daily. This particular morning glory became very
popular and was much in demand for its profusion of
brilliantly colored flowers and easy-to-grow personality.
History in Japan
Morning glories arrived in Japan in the ninth century. In the
British Museum, "Morning glory" is a hanging scroll painting
by Matsumura Keibun (1779-1843) that depicts blue blooms.
During Japan's Edo period (1830-1840), the morning glory
flower (asagao), was a sought-after ornamental. A scroll such
as this one would grace a traditional tea room for a tea
ceremony. The choice of morning glories suggests a morning
tea ceremony.
Read more: Information on Morning Glory Flowers | Garden
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