Morning Glories are the most optimistic flowers in the garden. Every single morning, a fresh set of brilliant trumpet-shaped blossoms opens to greet the dawn. By the afternoon heat, they have folded up and faded away, only to be replaced by new ones the next day. They teach us about "New Mercies"—how God's grace is fresh every morning—and about "Climbing Faith"—how we were designed to reach upward toward the Light.
Sunlight: Full Sun (needs the morning light to open)
Soil: Not picky! Prefers well-drained, average soil
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture helps vines grow
Support: Needs a trellis, fence, or twine to climb
Spacing: 6 inches apart
Nutrient Needs:
Week 1: Germination (fast if seeds are nicked: 5-10 days)
Week 2-4: Fast-growing vines with heart-shaped leaves
Week 6-8: First flower buds appear
Daily Cycle: Flower opens at dawn, fades by noon/early PM
Fall: Seed pods form (look like tiny brown lanterns)
Reseeding: They will plant themselves for next year!
Total: 60-75 days to first flower
The Vertical Carpet: Morning glories can cover an ugly fence or an old shed in weeks, turning a "fractured" place into a "sanctuary" of green and color.
Pollinator Breakfast: Because they open so early, they are a vital early-morning food source for bees and hummingbirds before other flowers have opened.
Friends & Helpers: Corn (acts as a trellis), Sunflowers, Marigolds.
Avoid planting near: Slow-growing plants (morning glories can grow so fast they "strangle" or shade them out).
✓ Nick the Seed: Morning glory seeds have a very hard coat. Use a nail file to scratch them before soaking in water overnight to help them sprout.
✓ Provide a Ladder: As soon as the first "reaching" stem appears, give it a string or wire to grab onto.
✓ Deadheading: Removing faded flowers prevents too many seeds from forming, which keeps the vines blooming longer.
✓ Late Season: If you want them to return next year, let the last flowers turn into dry brown seed pods.
Ornamental: Used exclusively for beauty and shade | Warning: The seeds are toxic if eaten—keep away from small children and pets | Cultural: Symbol of affection and the fleeting nature of life. In Victorian times, they represented "love in vain" because the flower dies so quickly, but in the garden, they represent resurrection.
Morning Glory vs. Moonflower: They are sisters! Morning glories open for the sun; Moonflowers open at night for the moths.
Different from Bindweed: Bindweed is a wild, invasive cousin with smaller white/pink flowers and roots that are almost impossible to pull.
Lamentations 3:22-23 — "New every morning"
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
The morning glory doesn't worry about yesterday's faded flowers. It simply opens a brand new one today. It reminds us that every day is a fresh start with God.
Ages 3–5: What color are the flowers today? Can you find one that is still "sleeping" (folded up)?
Ages 6–9: Look at the vine. Does it twist to the right or to the left? (Hint: Most morning glories twist "counter-clockwise"!).
Ages 10–13: Why does the flower fade so fast in the afternoon sun? (Hint: Think about its name and what it is "seeking").
Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulus family)
Direct Sow: Best planted after the soil is warm (late spring).
Soaking: Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting to speed up growth.
No Fertilizer: If you give them too much "Nitrogen," you will get 10 feet of leaves and zero flowers!
Morning Glory is the "Cheerful Reach." It reminds us that our design is to grow UPWARD. It doesn't crawl on the ground unless it has no choice. It also teaches us to live in the "Present Moment"—to give our best beauty to the morning and trust God for the strength to do it again tomorrow.
Varieties to try: Heavenly Blue (classic), Grandpa Ott's (deep purple), Scarlett O'Hara (red), Flying Saucers (striped).