Ipomoea purpurea aka Morning Glory

Ipomoea purpurea, or common morning glory, belongs to the bindweed family, Convolvulaceae. It comes from tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. Its native climate has a dry season. It grows in scrub, along streams, and on disturbed ground. Most gardeners grow this fast-growing climber as an annual. RHS also describes it as a short-lived perennial. Its stems twine around supports as they climb.

RHS gives a garden height range of 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. Its descriptive account gives a height of about 16 feet [5 metres]. The spread reaches about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Brown-purple stems have hairs on their surface. The green leaves grow in an alternate pattern along them. Each simple leaf has a long stalk and pointed tip. Most leaves have a heart shape and smooth edges. Some leaves have three lobes, and the plant sheds its foliage.

Flowers bloom from June to October, though timing varies with climate. Each flower opens in the morning and lasts a few hours. The fused petals form a funnel with a pale throat. Flowers span roughly 1–3 inches across. Their colours include purple, blue, pink, red, and white. RHS describes purple shades with white centres. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers. Small, round seed capsules follow the blooms. These measure about one-third of an inch across. They hold dark seeds with a wedge shape.

Grow this vine in full sun, away from cold winds. It needs moist soil that drains well. It tolerates many soil types, including sand, loam, and clay. It also accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Water needs are moderate, and routine care is low. Seed is the usual means of starting new plants. No pruning is required. RHS rates it H1C for summer outdoor growing in Britain. US sources list zones 2–11 for this annual garden plant. That wide range does not imply winter survival everywhere.

The vine can cover fences, trellises, decks, and other supports. Gardeners also grow it in pots and hanging baskets. It suits wall borders and informal gardens. Deer resistance adds to its landscape value. Serious pests and diseases are uncommon, but spider mites can cause trouble. Dry weather can make mite problems worse. Glasshouse whitefly may also attack it. The plant seeds itself and can become invasive. No edible uses are reported. It is harmful for people and pets to eat. Eating it may cause vomiting; large seed amounts may cause hallucinations. Reported medicinal seed uses do not make it safe to consume.