Morning glory is a climbing vine that produces beautiful saucer-shaped flowers. This write-up provides instructions for growing this vine.

Native to the tropical regions of America and subtropical and temperate regions of Asia, the morning glory belongs to the kingdom Plantae, division Magnoliophyta , genus Ipomoea, and Convolvulaceae family. This family comprises at least 50 genera and more than 1000 species. Being vines, these could be used to decorate walls and fences. The fragrant Ipomoea Indica or the blue dawn flower is one of the popular varieties. The flowers are saucer-shaped, and come in many vibrant colors such as red, blue, purple, yellow, white, magenta, etc. True to their name, the flowers can be seen in all their glory during the early hours. After a few hours, the petals begin to curl. The flowers just last for a single morning and die in the afternoon.

Characteristics

Associated with the month of September and the eleventh wedding anniversary, these are fast-growing vines.

• The morning glory vines can reach a height of 10-20 feet in the season; they just need a little support and they climb up easily on the walls and fences.
• The fragrant variety of blue dawn flower can produce several blooms in a season. This South American perennial flower variety can produce about 300 flowers per day.
• These plants have lush green foliage, with heart-shaped leaves that are 4-5 inches long. The flowers could grow up to 3 inches in diameter.
• Some of the varieties of this plant such as Ipomoea muricata have night blooming flowers.

Growing Morning Glory

• It can be grown from seeds. Some of the varieties of morning glory have poisonous and hallucinogenic seeds. So, keep that in mind while you buy the seeds from any garden center.
• Spring season is the perfect time to sow the seeds.
• For better germination, it is advisable to soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours. This will soften the coating or the seed husk.
• Look for a place where the plant will get ample sunshine. These flowers will grow better with the sun shining on them throughout the day.
• Make sure that the soil is not very moist. Though these plants don't need a very fertile soil for their growth, you could add a general purpose fertilizer while planting them.
• After selecting the location for planting the seeds, sow the seeds about an inch deep in the soil. You can place the seeds in a pot also.
• Water them when you feel the soil seems dry.
• Since this plant has a climbing habit, you will need to provide support for them. Once the plant starts gaining a little height, twine them around the supports.
• If you see signs of any disease, treat it quickly using organic insect repellents or fungicides.

Watching the petals of a morning glory unfurl in the early hours is a great sight. Moreover, the plant also attracts birds and butterflies. You can use this vine to cover up a wall, fence, and trellis.