The flowering plant, Ipomoea, is the most numerous genus in the elderberry family. There are more than 500 species in this genus. They are found naturally in various regions with subtropical or tropical climates. Morning glory is represented by trees, shrubs and vines, which can be perennial or annual. Among the various species of the genus there are also food species such as water spinach and yam.
The genus name comes from two Greek words: "ips" meaning "worm" and "homoios" meaning "similar", resulting in "worm-like", a term associated with the rhizome of the perennial species ipomea. Flower growers grow vines belonging to this genus; their flowers open early in the morning, when all other flowers are still closed, which is why morning glory is called the “flower of dawn.” Interestingly, fieldweed and morning glory are close relatives.
Features of morning glory
Grown in gardens in mid-latitudes, morning glory is a garden variety, vine that grows up to 5 m in length. The heart-shaped stems are densely covered with hairs. The large flowers are very fragrant and have long stems. The stems are densely covered with flowers that open early in the morning and twist in the sun. They close at noon, but if the day is cloudy, this may not happen until the evening. Double or regular flowers are shaped like a gramophone trumpet and can be colored in various colors such as red, blue, white, pink, etc. Flowering begins in the first weeks of summer and ends with the arrival of frost. In nature it is a perennial, but in mid-latitudes it is grown as an annual.
Perennial morning glory in landscape decoration
Due to the variety of colors, morning glory is widely used to decorate garden plots. This flower is used to landscape vertical buildings and is used for arches and wicker walls of gazebos. Bright, beautiful star-shaped flowers look harmonious against the background of dark olive foliage, bloom in early summer and last until the first frost.
Most gardeners prefer varieties with burgundy, blue and purple flowers. Thanks to its ability to curl, trees and garden columns are decorated with vines. This plant does not lose its decorative effect even after flowering. In autumn, the leaves of the loach turn golden with a red tint.
Morning glory is also planted in flower beds and flower beds. Due to its rapid growth, you can get a beautiful, colorful, living carpet. When grown at home, it is used for landscaping loggias and balconies.
The shape of the flowers resembles a gramophone or a star. They can be simple and terry. The flower has one peculiarity - it blooms early in the morning and closes in the afternoon. In cloudy weather it is open until the evening.
The plant is unpretentious and grows well in an open sunny place, protected from drafts.
Growing morning glory from seeds
Sowing
Reproduction of morning gloria occurs in a generative way. The seeds of this plant germinate within 3-4 years. They are sown for seedlings in mid-May, but before sowing they should be scarified (break the integrity of the shell), and instead can be placed in warm water (25 to 30 degrees) to swell for 24 hours. If the seeds do not swell, poke them with a needle and soak again.
Please note that each species requires a specific soil mixture, and this is the main difficulty in growing morning glory. To sow African species, use a succulent potting mix with small clay pebbles added. To sow seeds of American varieties, use a medium consisting of peat, coconut fiber, humus leaves, vermiculite and fine expanded clay (2:2:4:2:1).
Fill small cups with a suitable growing medium, then place 2-4 seeds in each and cover the top of the containers with cling film or glass, creating a mini outdoor house of sorts. Water the seeds as needed, organize regular ventilation, remove condensation from the shelter and maintain the air temperature at 18-20 degrees. If everything is done correctly, the first shoots should appear in 10-12 days.
Seedling care
When the seedlings reach a height of 15 centimeters, a string should be tied to their base, the other end of which should be pulled up and fixed in this position. This will provide support for the seedlings. As the seedlings grow, transplant them 1-2 times into a larger container using the transfer method, but be careful not to expose or damage the root system. Pruning plants will ensure more side shoots form.
Perennial morning glory: planting and care
Preparing for landing
The process of planting annual morning glory, like perennial morning glory, begins in mid-April. This plant is not resistant to low temperatures, so in most of Russia it is grown by seedlings. The collected seeds are stored for several years. First, they are placed in heated water for several days. Some seeds are very dense, so they are initially scarified by piercing them with a needle, and then soaked until they swell.
Perennial rudbeckia: planting and care
Plants need specific soil, the composition of which depends on the origin of the plant. So, for morning glory from Africa, you need soil with crushed expanded clay in the composition. Specimens of American origin require a soil mixture that includes the following components in equal proportions:
- vermiculite;
- peat;
- coconut fiber.
Additional information: a little fine expanded clay is added to the same mixture, and humus from the leaves is used as a base.
Morning glory: growing seedlings
Plastic cups or small pots are filled with soil substrate and two prepared seeds are placed in them. They are buried a little deep into the soil, after which the cups are covered with film or glass to create greenhouse conditions. Plants in this condition must be watered and ventilated in a timely manner, removing accumulated condensation. Two weeks before the seedlings form, the seedlings are kept at a temperature of +20°C, after which the cover is removed from the glass.
When the seedling reaches 15 cm in length, a cord is tied to it, fixing its second end at the top. The vine will climb up along this cord. As the morning glory grows, it is transferred several (usually twice) into a new container with an increased capacity, not forgetting to simultaneously pinch the top.
Note! Without pinching, it will not be possible to limit the growth of the vine.
Transplantation into open ground
When the morning glory forms 4 full leaves, it is transplanted to a permanent place in open ground. The plant reacts negatively to this procedure, so when replanting it is necessary to preserve the soil ball on the roots.
Bright, overly illuminated areas are unsuitable for cultivating morning glory. In such conditions, the flowering process of the plant, which is already short, is reduced even more. The inflorescences shrink, which negatively affects their decorative properties. It is also not recommended to choose overly shaded plots in which the vine grows weaker and the flowers practically do not bloom. You should choose a semi-shaded place. If such an area was found near a building, care must be taken to ensure that rainwater from the roofs does not fall on the vines.
Important! It is necessary to wait until the time for transplantation occurs when the risk of spring frosts disappears. Most often this period occurs at the end of May.
Morning glory has rather thin vines that can be injured or broken by strong gusts of wind. Therefore, places with drafts are also not suitable for cultivating the plant in question.
Morning glory is very thermophilic, so the average daily air temperature at the time of transplantation should be stably around +12°C. The soil on the site is fed with organic elements and dug up. A distance of at least 30 cm is left between the holes. The planted vines are sprinkled with loosened soil, and peat mulch is scattered on top in a layer 5 cm high. A lattice support is formed on top of the stems or a tightly stretched fishing line is placed, the lower end of which is fixed to a peg at the base of the plant.
Attention! When cultivating morning glory on a balcony, it is necessary to glaze it to protect it from the wind.
Morning glory: plant care
Fertilizer is applied to the plant in question once every two weeks. For this purpose, special fertilizers are used for flowering ornamental plants or cacti. The dosage and concentration indicated on the packaging should be strictly observed. Exceeding these indicators will provoke increased growth of the vegetative mass to the detriment of the inflorescences.
Nitrogen is applied in the form of root fertilizers. Phosphorus fertilizing is most often carried out as foliar application, using a spray bottle. For the first time, these substances are added during planting, and then during the growing season.
When the flowering phase begins, it is recommended to add microelements. At the same time, the vines become lush, resistant to diseases and adverse environmental factors.
Note! Ipomoea is watered regularly, trying to prevent water from stagnating in the root area. The soil should not be allowed to dry out in the summer.
Planting morning glory in open ground
What time to plant
Ripe willow seedlings should be planted in the ground at the end of May or at the beginning of June. This should be done when the soil has warmed up well and the threat of a return of spring frosts has passed.
Rules for planting seedlings
Use the method of transplanting young plants into open ground. A distance of 20 cm should be maintained between the bushes. After planting, install supports over the seedlings, for example, fishing line or netting for branches.
Seeds can also be sown directly into the ground. Sow in late May, after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a windless and well-lit place for planting. The vine grows best in slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
When growing this plant, remember that all parts contain large amounts of poison. Therefore, it should only be grown outdoors.
Morning glory in winter
With the onset of winter, perennial morning glory must be carefully dug up and planted in a large pot, then left indoors or in the basement. The above-ground part of the plant is cut off. In the southern regions it can be left in open ground, well covered.
Watch the video!
Morning glory in winter at home Thanks to morning glory, you can decorate any area and buildings without putting in much effort. By following the recommendations given in this article, you can enjoy the beauty of morning glory throughout the summer and even in the fall until the first frost.
Morning glory care
Watering
Willow should be watered regularly, but in moderation. Do not allow liquid to accumulate in the root system of the plant. In May and August, water these flowers regularly; there is no need to wait until the top layer of soil dries out.
Feeding
Fertilize the vines during intensive growth every 15-20 days. Use cactus fertilizer or flowering plant fertilizer. However, remember that overfeeding, especially with nitrogen fertilizers, will have a positive effect on leaf growth, but a very negative effect on flowering. Therefore, apply as little fertilizer as possible. The concentration of fertilizers should be the same as for home flowers.
Trimming
Sometimes pruning is necessary. For example, it is necessary to cut off all shoots that are damaged or diseased. It is recommended to prune in September to tidy up the willow before winter. In the spring, the bushes should be thinned out, with no more than 3 shoots remaining on each. It needs to be thinned out from time to time during the growing season.
Propagation of morning glory by cuttings
There are species of this vine that are propagated by cuttings. For example, you can propagate sweet potatoes this way. Cut several stems and cut them into cuttings, which should have 2 internodes and be 15-20 centimeters long. The bottom of the seedling should be at an angle of 45 degrees and 1.5 cm below the internode.
The lower part of the seedling should be cleared of all leaf blades and then placed in water. The roots should germinate in about 3-5 days, after which the cuttings should be immediately planted in the soil. Grow the vine in a warm room (20 to 25 degrees Celsius). In the soil, it takes 7 days for the shoots to take root completely. Approximate rooting time for cuttings:
- Green cuttings - in March or April;
- Semi-lignified or green cuttings in summer.
Morning glory varieties
There are about 500 varieties of natural morning glory; in ornamental gardening, of course, there are not that many, but there are also a lot of them, and every year flower growers and breeders develop more and more new varieties, one more beautiful than the other. Magical morning glory picoti, exquisite grand, luxurious giselle, mysterious moonflower, a completely new flying saucer. And also blue star, night, raspberry caprice, scarlett o hara - and that’s all, I want to grow them all and enjoy the amazing beauty of the magical morning glory vine.
Pests and diseases of morning glory
Diseases
Morning glory can suffer from fungal diseases such as anthracnose, white rust and various types of rot - root, stem, black, soft; viral diseases (there are about 20 different viruses), as well as a physiological disease called white pubescence.
Infection of vines with fungal diseases usually occurs through the soil, especially if liquid constantly stagnates in the soil. Plants affected by such diseases can be cured by cutting out the rotten areas and spraying the bush with a fungicide. However, root, soft and stem rot cannot be cured, so diseased bushes must be dug up and destroyed.
Viruses have also not yet been successfully destroyed, so diseased plants should be dug up and burned. White swelling is a non-infectious disease that only affects vines grown indoors or in a greenhouse. The disease can develop with very frequent watering, too low temperatures and high humidity. The leaves of diseased plants develop green or pale yellow thickenings and blisters that turn brown over time. The leaves will turn yellow and fall off. To prevent this type of disease, it is best to follow plant growing techniques.
Pests
Aphids and spider mites are the most dangerous pests for locust beetles. If there are only a few pests, you can try to destroy them sparingly. To kill aphids, spray the plant with a soap solution, and spider mites can be killed with cold water. If there are too many insects, spray the bush with a systemic insecticide, for example: Karbofos, Actellik, Akarin or Fitoverm.
Protection from diseases and pests
The main physiological disease of morning glory is white swelling. The plant is also affected by viruses and fungal diseases - rot, rust, etc.
The cause of the development of fungal diseases is stagnation of water near the root system or affected soil. Appropriate fungicides are used against these diseases, but if the infection is severe, the plants must be destroyed. Viral diseases cannot be treated, so affected specimens must be burned.
Important! White swelling appears exclusively in domestic or greenhouse morning glories.
The main harmful insects on the plantings in question are spider mites and aphids. If detected in a timely manner, it is possible to limit oneself to ordinary treatment with a soap solution. In particularly advanced cases, the following drugs are administered:
- Fitoverm;
- Karbofos;
- Actellik.
How to collect morning glory seeds
What time to collect seeds
Experts recommend collecting seeds from the second and third buds. When the flowers fade, a brown capsule should form in their place, which you need to wait until it dries and opens slightly. This usually happens after 4 weeks. Place the seeds in a paper bag and write the name of the variety on it. Seeds will take about 3-4 years to germinate.
Morning glory in autumn
In autumn, the plant retains its decorative properties due to the varied colors of the leaves. To collect seeds from it, select brown boxes on the buds located below. When dry, they open very easily.
Note! This procedure begins a month after flowering ends.
The seeds are dried and placed in paper bags, on which the name of the variety is signed. Seed material retains its sowing properties for three years. It should be borne in mind that some varieties of morning glory (sky blue, etc.) have poisonous seeds.
When the foliage fades at the end of autumn, the shoots are removed from their supports and pruned. To know how to preserve morning glory until spring, you need to take into account that the roots are destroyed and the tubers are stored. The soil is carefully dug up. Next year, seeds can be planted again in the same area, but most often they germinate on their own. This happens due to the fact that in the fall they spill out onto the soil from dried boxes.
Knowing the whole process of cultivating perennial morning glory, you can grow this crop in the Moscow region, Volga region, Siberia and other regions of the country. An exotic crop will decorate any garden or flower bed if it is cared for at the proper level.
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Types and varieties of morning glory with photos and names
As mentioned above, there are more than 500 species of morning gloria, but only 25 of them are cultivated. The most popular of them will be described below.
Morning glory Cairo (Ipomoea cairica)
This species is native to Australia and Asia. The stems of this plant can reach 5 m in length. It blooms very profusely with blue flowers. During flowering it looks like a carpet. The leaf blades have a sculptural shape.
Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
This vine is an annual plant. The stems are creeping and can reach a length of up to 8 meters. The glabrous, opposite or oval leaf blades may be lanceolate or oval in shape. The single flowers, about 70mm long, can be dark purple, blue, pink, red, purple or white. There are varieties with variegated or double flowers. This plant is native to the tropical regions of America. There are varieties such as Starfish, Scarlett O'Hara, Nochka, Giselle.
Morning glory Nile (Ipomoea nil, Ipomoea imperialis), or in Japanese asagao (morning face)
This heavily branched vine is an annual plant and can grow up to three meters in length. Its large, extra-large leaves are broadly oval, dark green and have long stems. The funnel-shaped flowers reach 10 cm across and can be dark or light blue, purple, red or pink. Flowering begins in mid-summer and continues until October.
Varieties:
- Pikoti - Semi-double flowers of red or blue with a white border;
- Hybrid Serenade: Tricolor frilly flowers reach 80 mm across and are lilac or dark red.
Ipomoea tricolor (Ipomoea tricolor), or red-blue morning glory (Ipomoea rubro-caerulea)
This species is native to the tropical regions of North and South America. It is a perennial that is grown as an annual in mid-latitudes. The length of the stems is about 4-5 m. The leaves are long, opposite, large, heart-shaped, wrinkled and glossy. The flowers are funnel-shaped, reach 80-100 mm in diameter and are arranged in bunches of 3 or 4.
The flowers are light blue, the tube is white, but after flowering they turn purple-pink. Flowering begins in early June and ends with the first frost. Some varieties are distinguished by the fact that they contain medicinal psychotropic substances. 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 tropical regions of America. Branched stem 2 to 3 meters long. The large, heart-shaped, three-lobed leaves resemble ivy leaves. The flowers are funnel-shaped and reach about 50 mm in diameter. The flowers are usually blue, sometimes with a white edge, but can also be burgundy, red or pink.
The peduncle is long and contains 2 or 3 flowers. Flowering begins in July and continues until the second half of autumn. There is a variety called Roman Candy: its leaves are variegated, green and white, and can be grown as a canopy.
Morning glory (Ipomoea noctiflora)
Also found in the American tropics. The length of the stems is about 3 m, the stems reach 6 m. Large, heart-shaped leaf blades. Fragrant white flowers, about 10 centimeters in diameter, open at night and close with the first rays of the sun.
Not all gardeners know about this feature, so some complain that their vine does not bloom. However, on a cloudy day, the flowers do not close until late in the evening, and at this time you can enjoy their extraordinary beauty. Flowering begins in July or August and ends in October.
Description
Morning glory belongs to the bindweed family. There are more than 500 species of plants that grow very quickly. Morning glory blooms from July until the first frost. Among the abundant foliage, delicate flowers in the form of bells of different colors open every morning.
South America is considered the birthplace of the plant. So morning glory is grown as a perennial. In Russia, morning glory is cultivated as an annual crop. From a variety of varieties, you can choose different options to decorate a certain area of the territory.
Caudex varieties of morning glory reproduce by underground tubers. Their swollen above-ground stems turn into vines and amaze with a variety of colors. The culture requires more sun and fertilizers.
Morning glory grows quickly, produces many leaves and flowers, so it is often used to decorate pergolas, gazebos, lanterns, and fences. The bushes grow up to 3 meters in height. It is always used in landscape design.
The leaves of the plant are large, oval or heart-shaped, rich green.
The flowers of all species are almost the same, differing only in color.
Ipomoea quamoclite has different leaves - they are thin, openwork, bright green. And the flowers are not funnel-shaped. And in the form of stars in red, burgundy or white.
In open ground, the plant begins to bloom in early summer and before frost. The flower seeds are large and ripen in a closed box, which cracks over time. Morning glory seeds that fall to the ground easily germinate the next year, so in one growing season, several generations of plants can grow at once at the planting site.
Features of care in winter
Before winter, the stems of annual morning glory are completely cut off, the ground is dug up, and the roots are removed from the soil. The next year, seeds are sown, from which new annuals grow.
Propagation by cuttings
Morning glory can be propagated from cuttings. To do this, you need to cut off the top branches and put them in water. Each one should have several unopened buds. The lower leaves are removed. The branches are cut at an angle of 45 degrees. When the roots appear (usually 5-6 days), the plants are transplanted into the ground.
Morning glory, everything about it
Morning glory is the largest flower of the Convolvulaceae family. This family has more than 1000 species. The name of the plant takes its roots from Greek words such as worm and passerby, due to the peculiarities of the root system expressed in the structure.
In ancient China, morning glory seeds were used as a laxative. The plant is not limited by its territorial location; it is found virtually all over the globe. However, no matter how beautiful its flowers look, we should not forget that they are poisonous.
Care
Watering
Morning glory is moisture-loving; the soil should not be allowed to dry out for a long time. Regular watering is especially important during periods of active growth. In extreme heat, morning glory is watered twice - in the morning and in the evening.
At the same time, the plant does not like stagnant water - in this case, air access to the roots becomes difficult, and the roots begin to rot. Mulching will help retain moisture in the soil; when growing in containers, hydrogel is added to the soil during planting.
Feeding
During the season, the plant is fed with mineral complexes with a low nitrogen content for flowering plants. The frequency of feeding is once every 2-3 weeks.
Support and trimming
Morning glory wraps around the front of the house
All types of crops require vertical support. A fishing line, wire, and mesh are stretched between wooden slats or metal pipes. The top of the morning glory, which has grown to 15–20 cm, is attached to the lower part of the support. In the future, she will find her own way up, wrapping her antennae around the support.
As necessary, formative pruning is carried out during the summer. Weak, diseased or thickened shoots are removed from the vine. To prolong flowering and make it more lush, faded flowers are immediately removed.
Plant propagation
The main method of propagation of morning glory is by seed. Sowing seeds in open ground in a permanent place is carried out in the spring, with the onset of stable heat. The bed for the seeds is prepared in advance and deeply loosened. You can immediately add long-acting phosphorus fertilizer (granular double superphosphate) to the soil before sowing.
I plant the seeds in the soil, but not deeply, otherwise it is difficult for them to germinate. Watering the sown morning glory seeds must be done regularly, through a sprayer, so as not to wash the seeds out of the soil.
Morning glory seeds
The morning glory emerges together and immediately begins to grow. To ensure early flowering, the crop can be planted in a greenhouse for seedlings, and when planted in a place protected from the wind, a support is immediately installed. Propagating morning glory by seeds is not difficult.
Planting time
The process of growing morning glory begins in mid-spring. The ornamental plant morning glory is a perennial plant that is not frost-resistant, so in central Russia it is necessary to start every year with seed germination.
Preparing for sowing
Once collected, the seeds are stored for several years. They are first soaked for several days in warm water. If they are too dense, they are pierced with a needle (scarified) and then soaked again until they swell.
It is important to choose the right soil.
- African migrants need soil for succulents, which includes fine expanded clay.
- For American Tropicanas, equal parts of peat, vermiculite, coconut fiber, a little fine expanded clay and leaf humus are added to the soil mixture.
Ipomoea is grown in seedlings
Growing seedlings
The prepared seeds, a couple of pieces, are placed in cups with an earthen substrate, covered with glass or film. Such an improvised greenhouse is periodically ventilated and watered. They are kept at a temperature of twenty degrees until seedlings appear in a couple of weeks. Then the film is removed.
When the plants reach a height of 15 cm, a string is attached to the sprout, securing its second end at the top. A vine climbs up it. As they grow, they are transferred to a large container a couple of times, while the tops are pinched off.
When the plant has at least 4 full leaves, it can be transplanted into the ground. The seedling needs to be transferred along with a large lump of earth. This is important because morning glory does not like transplanting.
Young morning glory is planted after the appearance of 4 true leaves.
History of the origin of morning glory
This liana-like plant of the Convolvulaceae family was first discovered in the equatorial and tropical forests of South America. In particular, Mexico is considered its homeland, where this variety is most widespread. In the local climate, the plant reproduced well and reached truly gigantic sizes. Despite the fact that today some types of morning glory, such as bata, are actively consumed as food, previously the flowering vine was used in a completely different capacity.
The Unusual Use of Morning Glory by the Aztecs and Spaniards
The plant was used especially actively in ancient times by the Aztecs, whose capital was located near modern Mexico City. Representatives of this Indian civilization turned to the seeds of morning glory, which was then still called “tlitlitzin,” as a raw material used to prepare tinctures that lead to a state of trance. The seeds of the plant are indeed distinguished by the presence of psychoactive properties, which the Native American population was well versed in.
Due to the special properties of this flowering vine, the most popular varieties at that time were: “Blue Star”, “Heavenly Blue”, “Flying Saucers”, “Pearly Gates”. Flowers of these particular species could produce seeds containing unique psychoactive substances. One of them, the most active, is ergine (lysergic acid amide).
Not only in South America, morning glory was used, so to speak, for other purposes. Europe was not far behind. In Spanish chronicles, records were found that the seeds of the plant were used by those in the know to predict certain events. Such documents date back to the mid-16th century.
The appearance of morning glory in the scientific world
After the settlement of the mainland by modern Americans, the plant also continued to be actively used, but now it was used more often for decorative purposes. Only in 1900, the tlitlitzin, already well known to the aborigines, received its biological description and scientific name “Ipomoea Violacea”.
Over time, the plant was introduced to the European climate. Thus, the species Kvamoklit, now widespread in Russia, was first discovered in Mexico. When changing place of residence, the appearance did not change much, however, nuances appeared. For example, perennial morning glory growing outdoors requires annual replanting and behaves like annuals. Those who were lucky enough to bloom in indoor pots are indeed similar in color and large size to the variants found in the tropics.
Decorative uses of morning glory
Morning glory is also used in shading terraces or verandas, planted along a mesh fence and to close the area from prying eyes. If you plant a gazebo with morning glory, you will get a cozy place to relax. An arch over the path made of metal rods, entwined with morning glory, will turn the path into a beautiful green corridor. You can also build such an arch over the gate at the entrance, or decorate a balcony or porch. Morning glory can also be planted in a flower garden. With the help of morning glory, the flat space of the flower garden is broken up, and it becomes picturesque. Various green shapes are made from morning glory. All you need for this is a support of the required shape and imagination.
Peculiarities
In many regions of Russia with severe snowy winters, only annual morning glory is grown. This climbing plant blooms well and abundantly from July until the first autumn frosts. Morning glory flowers bloom quickly in the morning, and fade in the evening. True, long-term lush flowering is achieved due to constantly renewed flowers. Flowering is remontant and continuous.
This is a completely unpretentious, but poisonous culture. Propagated by seeds. Morning glory is sown in open soil only in May. For seedlings - at the end of April. From the moment of sowing to the appearance of flowers, it takes about 2-3 months. If bindweed does not bloom for a long time, it means that it is not being cared for correctly. In this case, you need to reduce the amount of fertilizing.
Morning glory is too sensitive to direct sunlight. Prefers diffused lighting. In northern latitudes it can only be grown in greenhouses.
Morning glory propagation by cuttings
There are types of morning glory that can be propagated by cuttings. One of these is sweet potato. The cut stems should be about 15 cm long and have a couple of internodes. You need to cut the material one and a half centimeters below the knot, at an angle. Having removed the foliage at the bottom of the cutting, it is placed in water. When the roots begin to appear - and this usually happens quickly - the cuttings can already be planted in the ground; they will take root in about 7 days at a temperature slightly above 20°C.
Description of the plant
Morning glory is an annual or perennial plant in the form of a vine, herb, shrub or tree. The ability to curl is reflected in the name of the flower, which is translated from Greek as “worm-like.”
The plant is used everywhere for decorative purposes, and some varieties (trampoline and water trampoline) are food crops. All ornamental varieties of morning glory in European countries are called “morning star”.
Most varieties have heart-shaped leaves, as well as long shoots that can curl around a support. From June until the beginning of frost, beautiful funnel-shaped flowers, reminiscent of small gramophones, form on them.
With the correct pruning and cultivation method, planting a perennial morning glory variety turns into a real blooming and fragrant green carpet, which is so often depicted in pictures.
What kind of flower is this: morning glory?
Morning glory is a bright annual representative of the Bindweed family, so the plant is similar to its relative - the well-known “bindweed”, growing in the wild. The most popular plant species in our gardens is Ipomoea purpurea.
The diameter of the inflorescence is on average about 10 cm, and the length of the vine is about 3 meters. Inflorescences can be colored purple, blue, pink, white. The flowering period of the liana-like plant is from early summer to September and October. Morning glory is a fast-growing climbing annual.
Important! Morning glory is a poisonous plant, so it must be handled with care. You should also be careful when growing a decorative vine if there are children or pets on the site.
Morning glory has a large number of fans among gardeners for its unpretentiousness to soil, care, rapid growth, spectacular and graceful flowering.
By the way! Morning glory is a self-sowing flower, that is, it is capable of reproducing by self-sowing.
An interesting feature of the plant: the morning glory flower only lives for one day; after closing at night, it will never open again. At the same time, the short lifespan of one flower in no way affects the overall decorative effect of the climbing bush! The flowers open at dawn and emit a delicate, pleasant aroma.
Used for vertical gardening: decorative vines can be used to decorate fences, buildings, gazebos, pergolas, arches, trellises, berms and other vertical objects. Also suitable for growing on a south, south-west, south-east balcony or loggia.
It feels most comfortable on loose, moderately nutritious soil. If it is too fertile and fertilized, it begins to “fatten” (that is, the green mass develops to the detriment of flowering). The plant does not tolerate stagnant water, so it is important to avoid waterlogged areas. The place for growing in open ground must be sunny, because the heat-loving plant needs an abundance of sunlight.
Morning glory in combination with other plants and in landscape design
For landscaping, Ipomoea Sweet Potato is often used with large decorative foliage of different colors: different shades of green, yellow and red. Variegated varieties with pink or white specks against a background of greenery have been developed. For flower arrangements, different varieties of this morning glory are combined.
Morning glory goes well with other plants used for vertical gardening: campsis, wild grapes, ivy, hops. It looks elegant next to deciduous trees.
Morning glory is often used for vertical gardening
In landscape design, it is used to decorate open terraces and gazebos. It is often placed next to antique-style structures or lanterns, and also decorates walls, fences, gates, and columns.
In horizontal decoration, plants of contrasting shades look impressive, decorating one surface, a flower bed, or a living carpet. A living fence of plants with leaves and flowers of different colors is picturesque. The effect is enhanced by proximity to conifers.
If you cover the arch with moon-flowering morning glory, then with the right lighting, the snow-white flowers will look like fairy-tale lanterns. And their amazing aroma will add even more mystery and charm to the summer garden.
The composition looks great with flowers planted in garden vases, which, if there is a frame above them in the form of a flower bouquet, will first encircle it and then hang down almost to the green lawn.
Blooming morning glory looks good on a high pergola
