Depending on the throw in of morning glory you’re growing, here’s what to expect.
Chances are you either love them or hate them, but are morning glories perennial?
What Are Morning Glories?
Credit:Matthew Benson
Most morning glories grown ornamentally in gardens areannuals, but some perennial varieties exist.
Matthew Benson
Other Types of Morning Glories
Not all morning glories are vines.
In the Great Plains, the bush morning glory (Ipomoea leptophylla)is a shrubby perennial.
It’s drought-tolerant and long-lived, growing for as long as 50 years.
Bush morning glories make anexcellent plant for xeriscapingto bring some pollinator-enticing plants to a dry landscape.
It’s also quite cold hardy, surviving winters as chilly as -25F.
The large white flowers begin opening at dusk, offering a subtle scent and ethereal white glow in moonlight.
Several species of morning glory are listed as invasive or noxious weeds in the South, particularlyIpomoea aquaticaandIpomoea hederacea.
How to Plant Morning Glory Seeds
Morning glory seeds are covered with a hard outer coating.
If you dont help the process, the seeds may not sprout.
Then soak the seeds overnight in water.
Plant morning glories outside after thelast frost in your area.
After nicking and soaking as above, sow them 14 inch deep in beds amended with compost.
Any sunny spot with good drainage will do, but they need something to climb.
Water them in after planting, and lightlyvery lightlycover with mulch like straw or pine needles.
Once they pop up and begin to grow,add additional mulchto keep the soil cool and moist.
For most gardeners in the US, that isnt a problem.
Annual morning glories can self-seed if conditions are right.
Eating morning glories is toxic for dogs and catsand is likely to cause vomiting.
The verdict is mixed on this.
Many plant vendors claim morning glories are deer-resistant, but many gardeners say they are not.
