Cover a fence or trellis with the Blue Star Morning Glory, from freshly harvested Ipomoea tricolor flower seeds. Blue Star Morning Glory is a vining, flowering plant, which will produce long, 7 to 13 foot vines. Each vine will display heart shaped leaves and pale blue flowers. The blooms are trumpet shaped, opening up to reveal a dark blue star, indented in its saucer like petals. Blue Star Morning Glory flowers will open up to reach a diameter of about 5 inches wide, blooming up until the Autumn season arrives.
This heirloom vine has been used for decades, to cover old fences with its attractive, spade shaped leaves and cheery flowers. It is also used on porches and balconies, covering railings, posts and pillars as well. Although Blue Star Morning Glory is sought after by many gardeners across the world, you might be surprised to learn that in some states, it is considered an invasive species. You should consider checking into which varieties of Morning Glory plants are allowed in your state, if any at all. The plants themselves do not require much maintenance and grow vigorously when left unattended for weeks at a time.
Blue Star Morning Glory is categorized as an annual flowering climber. It’s leaves, flowers and vining stems will grow quickly from fresh Ipomoea seeds. Once established, the plants will bloom profusely through the summer months, later dying with the first frost. Seeds can be collected at the end of the season, once the flowers have dried out. The seeds can sometimes fall to the bare ground beneath, just before the first frost, allowing these beautiful plants to regrow the following season.
Grow Blue Star Morning Glory plants directly outdoors to enjoy its masses of gorgeous blooms. It’s sea of color will be sure to attract an array of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds & honeybees as well. Check out our “Vines” category to create a gorgeous color combination with more than 20 varieties of climbers to choose from.
Sowing The Seed
You will notice that Morning Glory seeds consist of a hard outer shell. Before sowing these seeds, they should be prepped by scarification or soaking. Sometimes you can even consider both methods. Nick the seeds with sandpaper or a knife and soak in warm water, for 24 hours. If starting indoors, sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Place the seeds at a depth of 1/2″ under topsoil. Transplant, or direct sow into the garden when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed.
Growing Conditions
Morning Glory plants will thrive in the heat of summer and prefer an area of full sunlight. Temperatures should be at least 70F or higher. The soil should be average to sandy, but also well drained. To increase drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily until germination has occurred, watering less frequently as time goes on.
Germination & Growth
Morning Glory seeds typically germinate within roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants are known to grow and establish with the support of a fence or trellis. Each vine can grow to a mature length of 7 to 13 feet long, displaying large, trumpet shaped flowers all summer long. Each plant can be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart, depending on the thickness of coverage you desire. Morning Glories are known to attract all sorts of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees & hummingbirds as well.