Morning glory is a genus of plants in the bindweed family (Convolvulaceae), which includes both ornamental and wild-growing species. The best-known representatives are common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), tricolor morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor), moonflower (Ipomoea alba), and ivy-leaved morning glory. Under the climatic conditions of Ukraine, morning glory performs very well as an annual ornamental plant, especially in the southern and central regions. In the north and in the Carpathian region, more attention should be paid to sowing dates and variety selection, since spring may be prolonged and summer relatively short.
Morning glories are characterized by rapid growth, twining stems, and funnel-shaped flowers of various colors — from snow-white to deep violet, blue, pink, and even bicolored. Flowering lasts from June until late autumn, especially if faded flowers and shoots are removed regularly. Thanks to its climbing habit, the plant is often used for vertical landscaping: decorating gazebos, balconies, pergolas, walls, and even living fences.
The breeding of morning glories continues to develop. There are many varieties and hybrids with different shoot lengths (from 1 to 4 m), foliage density, and flower size and color. Under Ukrainian conditions, the varieties ‘Blue Star’, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’, ‘Early Call’, ‘Grandpa Ott’s’, and the ‘Fiesta’ mix, which produces flowers of several colors at once, have shown good results. When choosing a variety, it is worth paying attention to its light requirements, drought tolerance, and flowering duration.
It is important to understand that, besides ornamental morning glory, there is also wild field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), which is a persistent weed and causes damage to agricultural crops. This text refers exclusively to ornamental species grown for garden and park design and landscaping.
Planting morning glory is a key stage that largely determines the success of further cultivation. In Ukraine, the optimal time for sowing morning glory directly into open ground is late April to early May, when the threat of frost has passed and the soil warms to +10…+12 °C. In the southern regions (Odesa, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions), earlier sowing is also possible — from mid-April. Morning glory can be sown directly into the soil or grown through seedlings, with the latter method allowing for earlier flowering.
Site selection is very important. The plant is extremely light-loving: with a lack of sunlight, the shoots stretch out, the foliage becomes sparse, and flowering becomes poor or may be absent altogether. An area well lit from morning until evening, with southern or southwestern exposure, is ideal. Light partial shade is acceptable — no more than 2–3 hours per day.
The soil for morning glory should be loose, nutritious, and well drained. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water or heavy clay soils well. Before planting, it is recommended to dig the plot to a depth of 20–25 cm and add humus (5–6 kg/m²), wood ash (1 cup/m²), and a complex mineral fertilizer (for example, nitroammophoska — 50–70 g/m²). If the soil is acidic, it should be neutralized with dolomite flour or lime.
Morning glory seeds are sown to a depth of 1.5–2 cm, placing 2–3 seeds in one hole at a distance of 20–30 cm from each other. The seeds may be soaked in warm water for 12–24 hours beforehand to speed up germination. When planting seedlings, the spacing between holes is the same. After sowing, the area is watered and mulched with a thin layer of peat or humus.
Morning glory is not a particularly demanding plant, but even with minimal care it is possible to achieve abundant and long-lasting flowering. One of the main factors is regular but moderate watering. This is especially relevant for the southern regions of Ukraine, where droughts are common in summer. It is important to keep the soil slightly moist, avoiding both complete drying out and overwatering. Watering should be done at the root, preferably in the morning or evening, to avoid leaf scorch.
Feeding stimulates shoot growth and bud formation. The first feeding is carried out 10–15 days after the seedlings emerge, or after transplanting the seedlings — nitrogen fertilizers such as urea or ammonium nitrate may be used. Later, from the beginning of budding until the end of flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied, such as monopotassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, or superphosphate. It is best to alternate root and foliar feeding, especially in hot weather.
Tying is necessary, especially if morning glory is growing near vertical supports. The plant clings to the support by itself with its twining stems, but at the beginning of growth it should be guided carefully. Suitable supports include trellises, nets, stretched cords, fences, or walls. The height of the structure may reach 2–3 meters, depending on the variety.
Shaping the plant is needed to make the foliage denser and increase the number of flowers. Pinching the tips encourages the formation of side shoots, making the plant fuller. Faded flowers should also be removed regularly to prolong the flowering period and prevent self-seeding, if that is undesirable.
It is also worth mulching the soil — this helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, and protects the roots from overheating. Suitable mulch materials include sawdust, straw, peat, or cut grass.
Despite its relative hardiness, morning glory may suffer from diseases and pests, especially under conditions of high humidity or when care rules are not followed properly. The most common diseases are powdery mildew, gray mold, damping-off in seedlings, and viral diseases, which are practically untreatable.
Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on the leaves and flowers. It can be controlled with sulfur-based fungicides such as Topaz and Skor, or with biological products such as Fitosporin and Planriz. In the case of gray mold, which is especially common in wet weather, products such as Switch, Horus, and Thiovit Jet are used. To prevent fungal diseases, it is important to avoid overwatering, ensure ventilation, and not overcrowd the plantings.
Among the pests are aphids, spider mites, thrips, and slugs. Aphids suck sap from young shoots, causing them to deform. They are controlled with a soap solution, garlic infusion, or insecticides such as Aktara and Biotlin. Spider mites become active in hot weather — signs include pale spots on the leaves and fine webbing. Products such as Actellic, Neoron, and Fitoverm are effective. Slugs are active in wet weather — they are collected by hand or controlled with metaldehyde-based baits.
For prevention, crop rotation should be observed, seeds should be disinfected, plant residues should be removed after the season, and resistant varieties should be used. Biological products can also be applied regularly for preventive purposes.
Morning glory can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and layering. The seed method is the simplest and most common. With proper care and collection of your own seed, it is possible to obtain strong, locally adapted plants every year. The seeds ripen in capsules where the flowers were. They are left on the plant until fully mature, then dried and stored in a dry, cool place.
In the southern and central regions of Ukraine, seeds can be sown directly into the ground. In the northern regions, it is better to grow the plant through seedlings. Cuttings are used for double-flowered and hybrid varieties that do not retain varietal traits when propagated by seed. Cuttings 10–12 cm long are rooted in a sand-and-peat mixture under film or in a greenhouse.
After the end of the season, from late September to early October, sanitary cleanup is carried out. Plant remains are removed and the soil is loosened. If morning glory was grown in a container, it can be moved indoors to a room with a temperature of +5…+10 °C until spring.
Seeds should be labeled with the variety name and year. They are best stored in paper packets in a dark, dry place. Germination remains viable for up to 3 years, but it is highest during the first 2 years.
When planning plantings, crops should be rotated. Morning glory should not be grown in the same place for several years in a row, as this increases the risk of disease. Good preceding crops include legumes, marigolds, calendula, and onions.
