By Kate Torpie, Garden Guides Contributor
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.
