Ipomoea purpurea (Morning Glory)

Valued as an exotic climber for the garden, Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning Glory) is a particularly pretty annual vine noted for its luminous heart-shaped foliage and attractive rich purple-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Opening in the morning to reveal their white throats, the flowers, 2-3 in. (5-7 cm), close in the afternoon, hence the common name. Morning Glory produces new flowers daily and blooms continuously from early summer to early fall. Prized for its quick-growing climbing habit, it is perfect to hide an unforgiving fence!
New Morning Glory varieties with different flower colors have added extra interest to this old-fashioned garden favorite. They are now available in charming shades ranging from pink, blue, red, and magenta, to white. Some also have 5 pointed star markings inside their trumpets.

• Fast-growing, this annual vine will twine its soft stems up to 6-10 ft. tall in one season (180-300 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide (90-180 cm). Self-seeds easily and can become a weedy nuisance without being invasive
• Thrives in full sun in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. 
• Deer resistant but attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Morning Glory requires support on which to climb such as pergolas, walls, or fences. Great in containers, hanging baskets, or as a groundcover too! Perfect in cottage gardens or Mediterranean gardens.
• Propagate by seed: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost, or outdoors after frost danger has passed. Before planting, nick the hard-coated seeds with a file or soak them overnight in warm water.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Native to Mexico and Central America
• Seeds are highly toxic if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Popular Morning Glory cultivars:
  'Heavenly Blue' – with striking blue flowers and white throats.
  'Milky Way' – with bright white flowers with maroon stripes.
  'Scarlet O’Hara' – with deep scarlet flowers marked with white throats.
  'Pearly Gates' – with pure white flowers.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.