Morning Glories: Misunderstood and Maligned

Not all flowers are created equal, and morning glories, like the unfortunate siblings in The Series of an Unfortunate Events, seem to bear the brunt of the unfairness.

Morning glories are tenacious climbers that produce a medley of colors: solid colors, bi-colors, and variegated variations. They are pleasant-looking flowers, with pristine flowers available in true blue, an elusive color in the field of botany, yet in some circles, they are very much disdained. Often relegated to old-fashioned gardens, morning glories are redoubtable and strong-willed bloomers – perhaps too strong-willed.  

After all, ‘vigorous’ is just a poet’s term for aggressive, and the morning glory’s tendency to spread aggressively has made it the bane of fussy gardeners. A master in the art of hijacking, morning glories have waltzed their way into many lawns, aggrandizing the space until they become monstrously large, devouring everything in sight. 

In truth, morning glories can be easily controlled with raised garden beds, which generally keeps their prolific vines from running rampant into other areas of your garden. A sturdy trellis, positioned away from perimeter walls, will allow the vines to intertwine beautifully while keeping them in check. If you don’t want your morning glories to bloom profusely, make sure to deadhead them to prevent them from going to seed. 

A matter of confusion: Bindweed vs. morning glories

A common misunderstanding stems from the confusion that an invasive class of weeds, bearing resemblance to morning glories, are morning glories. Both bear trumpet-like flowers and are fast-growing vines, but they are not one and the same.

Those weeds, referred to as bindweeds, are noxious perennials that prove almost impossible to eradicate, while the morning glory vine (Ipomoea) can be managed with prudent care. 

Bindweed, colloquially referred to as wild morning glory, is the much more malicious cousin of morning glories, an imposter that spreads from rhizomes entrenched deep within the soil. Everything, from its arrow-shaped leaves to its subdued color, seems to hint at an ulterior motive.

Come the bleak midwinter, morning glories lose their power, if they are not already beset by foliar disease. Bindweed, on the other hand, comes back with a vengeance – complete eradication requires a specialty herbicide. 

This plant is not good for you

It should go without saying: don’t recreationally ingest morning glory seeds (cue the eye roll). Interestingly, morning glory seeds contain a chemical compound, LSA, that produces hallucinogenic effects reminiscent of LSD – a powerful psychedelic. There is evidence to suggest that the LSA alkaloid present in morning glory seeds originated from symbiotic fungi that coevolved with them. 

In Mesoamerica, the hallucinogens found in morning glories were used to induce alternate states of consciousness – a key aspect of religious rituals. In the Victorian language of flowers, morning glories indicated “love in vain,” its ephemeral blooms symbolizing the fragile mortality of human life. 

All of this points to a complicated flower that represents the duality of life in all its flawed permutations (there’s even a variety dubbed the Split Personality Morning Glory). 

Its monikers – Heavenly Blue, Pearly Gates, Flying Saucers – allude to an angelic nature, but in reality, it can be either a blessing or curse. Of course, once you get past its mildly inconvenient habit of colonizing any available space, it can prove to be a valuable benefactor in the backyard.  

Recommended types of morning glories to grow

There are varieties of morning glories that do not reseed easily, some of which are listed below. Many cultivars are difficult to obtain, as they are not cultivated extensively.

Morning glories prosper in full, direct sun and well-draining, but not nutrient-rich soil. Seeds germinate quickly, and can be started indoors in seedling trays given an abundance of light. One reason that they proliferate in native soil is that they prefer subpar, lean soil; an abundance of nutrients will cause them to become leggy. 

There are varieties of morning glories that do not reseed easily, some of which are listed below. Many cultivars are difficult to obtain, as they are not cultivated extensively. Morning glories prosper in full, direct sun and well-draining, but not nutrient-rich soil. Seeds germinate quickly, and can be started indoors in seedling trays given an abundance of light. One reason that they proliferate in native soil is that they prefer subpar, lean soil; an abundance of nutrients will cause them to become leggy. 

• Carnevale Di Venezia morning glory: A celebratory flower that invokes the opulently baroque atmosphere of the eponymous carnival of its name, this coveted variety features striking blooms stippled with indigo and rose-pink. An arched support system is required for these vigorous climbers. Within weeks, you’ll discover your trellis festooned with a confetti mix of deliriously patterned flowers, each bloom a unique combination of colors. 
• Heavenly Blue morning glory: By far the most popular variety, these serene flowers are aptly named, their petals flared heavenward to reflect the celestial sky. At the height of summer, it blooms reliably, attracting prominent pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. 
• Scarlet O'Hara morning glory: Scarlet O’Hara was not beautiful, though casting choices seemed to indicate otherwise. A resilient variety brimming with star-quality, this dazzling morning glory doesn’t shrink away from making its presence known with its vibrant crimson blooms.  
• Knowlians Black morning glory: Perfect for goth gardens, this variety of morning glory stuns in a dark, almost-black shade of violet. It may be a late bloomer, but its richly saturated blooms make the wait worthwhile. 
• Chocolate Rose Silk Japanese morning glory: This hard-to-get variety is as enticing as it sounds, featuring large, funnel-shaped flowers in a dusky shade of mocha-pink. Among flowers, it ranks as one the most memorable, both in appearance and color. 

Create a magical moon garden with moonflower

Hate it or love it – morning glories are invaluable to moths and other nectar-feeders. Despite its name, there’s one variety that persists even after the sun sinks low on the horizon – the fragrant moonflower that opens at dusk. For those that appreciate the solitude that night brings, consider planning a moon garden or a garden for moths. 

Can you make morning glories work in your garden? If you’re a morning person (another maligned personality trait) like Colin Robinson from What We Do in the Shadows, then that’s a resounding yes.