Ipomoea tricolor
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MORNING GLORY
Family: Convolvulaceae
Geographic Origin
Garden.
Plant Group
Annual vine or short lived perennial.
Attributes
Hardiness
Sunset zones: All zones (Western).
USDA zones: All zones.
Mature size
Height: 10-12 feet (3-3.5 m).
Flowering period
Summer until frost.
Flowering attributes
Funnel shaped flowers of various colors, usually with a white throat.
Leaf attributes
Large, heart-shaped leaves.
Growth habit
Twining climber.
Culture
Light
Full sun.
Soil
Fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Miscellaneous
Propagation Methods
Sow seed in situ in spring after all danger of frost and soil has warmed up.
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I successfully start morning glory plants early in the greenhouse. In late April I soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours and then plant seed in seed starting medium and place the seed flat on the heat mat in the greenhouse. Just after seeds germinate, the small seedlings are transplanted into deep pots with a soil based potting medium. They continue to grow in the greenhouse on cold days and brought outside on warmer days until late May. The plants are then brought outside to harden off. Around early June when the soil has warmed, they are carefully transplanted outdoors with as little disturbance to the roots as possible. A handful of complete organic fertilizer is mixed into each planting hole at the time of planting.
Pests and Diseases
Spider mites, white blister, rust, fungal leaf spots, stem rot, and thread blight may be a problem.
Rainy Side Notes
Sometime in the 1960s morning glory seed was not sold because it was feared that hippies would use the seed as a hallucinogen as the Aztecs did in ancient times. Good hummingbird plant.
Do not ingest any part of this plant, especially you hippies.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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