Ipomoea purpurea, or morning glory, has beautiful purple and pink flowers that are a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds alike. The vine grows best in warm climates, but it can be grown in the home garden throughout the United States as long as you provide it with the right amount of sun, water and nutrients each season. For those who want to grow morning glory in their garden, here’s how to care for this popular flower so that you can harvest blooms all summer long.
Morning glory is a flowering vine with simple leaves, heart-shaped leaves, or arrowhead-shaped leaves. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and come in shades of blue, purple, pink, red or white. If you’re looking for a plant that will add color to your garden this summer morning glory might be the perfect choice!
how to choose the right soil
Morning glory needs soil that drains well, is light textured, but still retains moisture. They do not grow well in heavy clay soils. If you have heavy clay soil, it can be amended with organic matter such as peat moss or compost.
how often should i water my morning glories
Morning glory needs plenty of water, but it should be well-drained or the roots will rot. Give morning glory a good soaking at least once a week, and don’t let the soil dry out between waterings. The soil should also be allowed to dry out in between watering,
morning glories sunlight requirements
Morning glory does best in a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. It can grow in partial shade, but morning glory will not flower as well or produce as many blooms. Too much shade may also cause the leaves to become yellowish in color, which is an indication that the plant needs more sun exposure.
Pests and Diseases
Morning glory plants are susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and whitefly. These pests can be dealt with using organic pest control methods including neem oil, garlic spray, and insecticidal soap. Aphids can also be combated with ladybugs or lacewings
propagating morning glory
Morning glory is a beautiful vine that grows quickly, but it can be harvested throughout the year. To harvest morning glory, cut the stem at about 12 inches from the soil. The vine will keep producing new shoots for you to harvest as needed. Morning glory does best in full sun, so make sure you plant it in a sunny spot. Be careful when planting because morning glory has brittle stems and roots that can break easily if handled roughly.
