The Morning Glory Climber – Ipomoea purpurea – is an easy-to-grow- climber for quick results.
It is actually a perennial plant but is normally treated as an annual when sowing from seed.
There are several types of Ipomoea – now also called Mina – but here we talk about the true Morning Glory plant – Ipomoea purpurea.
It is named Morning Glory because the flowers are at their best in the early mornings. Each flower lasts for just one day – but is replaced the following day by others. So, there is a continual supply of the startling blue flowers on the plant in the growing season.
It needs a sunny position but is quite happy to be planted in dappled shade as long as there is room for the plant to climb up to the sunlight. But, for top to bottom flowers, then a full sun situation is best for Morning Glory. It is an ideal trellis plant, but needs to be removed each year.
Containers
Morning Glory is quite happy if grown in a container, as long as due care is taken with watering and feeding.
The one in the picture above, is simply in a 10in (25cm pot) in a saucer to maximise the water available. Importantly, Osmocote was also added to the compost, to ensure that it has enough feed to last it for a full growing season. This plant has clambered to 12 feet – 3.6m, and still happy to explore any of the framework to which it has entwined itself.
It is a self-clinging climbing plant – wrapping itself around supports, not too dissimilar to Bindweed! (It is also known as Convolvulus – as is Bindweed.)
Propagation
Sow seed in single 3in pot in the spring, ensure a temperature of around 65deg. It can also be propagated by soft cuttings in the summer (difficult).
Pests Diseases and Problems
Red Spider and Aphids can be problem pests – also Powdery Mildew if grown under glass.
