Gardeners love plants that add beauty with minimal effort. Thankfully, morning glory and moonflowers fit the description perfectly. These fast-growing climbers transform fences, trellises, and pergolas into living walls of blossoms. But what makes them unique? Morning glory greets the world during sunrise while Moonflowers bloom as the sun sets. Together, they create a garden that never stops blooming.
Morning glories and moonflowers are two of the most beloved old-fashioned annual vines that flower gardeners have cherished for generations. With their fast exuberant growth and showy blooms throughout the season, these twin beauties make an unbeatable combination that brings vertical interest and around-the-clock color to gardens and landscapes.
In this complete guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about successfully growing moonflowers and morning glories side by side, from planning and planting to supporting and maintaining them for waves of nonstop blossoms.
An Overview of Moonflowers and Morning Glories
Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) and morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) are closely related warm-season annual vines in the Convolvulaceae family. They share very similar needs when it comes to sun, soil, water and care, which makes them ideal companions for the garden.
Morning Glories unfurl brightly colored trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, red and white. The flowers open with the morning sun and last for just one day before withering in the afternoon. Popular varieties include Heavenly Blue, Grandpa Ott, Scarlett O’Hara and Pearly Gates.
Moonflowers open their huge fragrant white flowers in the evening and stay open through the night closing when touched by the morning sun. Moonflowers can grow up to 6-8 inches across. Unlike morning glories, moonflowers are actually tender perennials in zones 9-11, but they are grown as annuals in cooler climates.
By growing morning glories and moonflowers together, you can enjoy an extended bloom period from dawn to dusk. The moonflowers take over with their big showy blossoms and intoxicating lemon scent in the evening after the morning glories have finished flowering for the day.
Choosing the Best Location
When selecting a spot to grow your moonflowers and morning glories, keep these factors in mind:
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Sunlight: Choose a location with full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning glories and moonflowers thrive in the brightest exposures.
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Support structure: Provide a tall, sturdy support for the vines to climb such as a trellis, fence, strings or netting on a wall. It should be at least 5-6 feet high.
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Proximity: Plant the vines in close proximity, spaced 8-12 inches apart to encourage quick coverage.
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Design ideas: Grow moonflowers on one side of a trellis and morning glories on the other for a two-toned vertical garden. Alternate moonflower and morning glory plants along a fence for a patchwork effect.
How to Plant and Grow Moonflowers and Morning Glories
Follow these simple tips for successfully planting and growing your moonflowers and morning glories:
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When to plant: Direct sow seeds in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Or for an earlier start, sow indoors 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost date.
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Preparing soil: Enrich soil with compost or rotted manure before planting. Well-draining soil is essential.
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Planting seeds: Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart along the base of support structures. Gently water after sowing.
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Germination: Seeds will sprout in 5-10 days once soil temperatures reach 65°F.
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Thinning: When seedlings have 2-3 sets of leaves, thin to 1 plant every 8-12 inches.
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Watering: Supply 1-2 inches of water per week. Avoid overhead watering.
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Fertilizing: Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer at planting time and again midseason.
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Training vines: Add strings, loosely tie stems, pinch off side shoots and weave vines through supports.
With proper care, your moonflowers and morning glories will reward you with vigorous green vines smothered in flowers within a couple months of planting.
Caring for Moonflowers and Morning Glories
Here are some tips for looking after your moonflowers and morning glories all season long:
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Water carefully at soil level to keep soil consistently moist but not soaked.
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Apply fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to fuel growth and blooms.
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Weed and mulch to prevent competition for nutrients and retain moisture.
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Pinch and prune to encourage bushier vines and even more flowers.
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Check for pests like aphids, spider mites and beetles and take action if found.
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Remove spent blooms daily to promote more blossoms.
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Provide support throughout the season so vines continue climbing upward.
With attentive care, your morning glories and moonflowers will thrive and bloom prolifically from midsummer until fall frost.
Getting the Most Flowers
Here are some handy tips for maximizing blooms on your morning glories and moonflowers:
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Grow new plants from seed each year for best flowering.
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Use fertilizer low in nitrogen to avoid excess foliage instead of blooms.
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Soak seeds overnight before planting to enhance germination.
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Pinch back vine tips frequently to encourage branching and flowers.
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Pick flowers daily to stimulate more blossoms.
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Give consistent moisture during hot, dry periods when plants are flowering.
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Grow different morning glory varieties together for a multi-hued effect.
Gorgeous Companion Plants
Some great options for planting alongside morning glories and moonflowers include:
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Sunflowers – Another towering annual vine with big flowers.
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Clematis – Showy non-vining climbers.
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Cosmos – Pretty, daisy-like blooms.
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Marigolds – Cheery edible flowers.
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Zinnias – Vivid, butterfly-attracting blossoms.
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Nasturtiums – Cascading edible blooms.
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Petunias – Night-fragrant flowers.
Growing Tips by Region
In northern zones with shorter seasons, start moonflower and morning glory seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Choose quicker blooming morning glory varieties. Provide temporary support for young plants and move them outdoors after hardening off. Add season extending coverings like cold frames in fall.
In southern zones with hot summers, select more heat resistant morning glory varieties. Use heavier mulch to retain soil moisture. Provide afternoon shade if possible. Start second plantings in mid to late summer for fall flowers. Grow moonflowers in zone 9 and warmer as perennials.
On the west coast, choose mildew resistant morning glory varieties. Space plants further apart for better air circulation. Water early in the day so plants dry out. Remove diseased foliage promptly.
Enjoying 24/7 Bloom
One of the best aspects of planting morning glories and moonflowers side by side is that you can enjoy seamless flower power from sunrise to sunset.
As each pretty morning glory flower unfurls at dawn and fades by midday, the moonflowers start to open their enormous, sweetly fragrant blossoms in the heat of the afternoon to perfume the evening garden.
With a little planning and TLC, this dynamic duo will blanket walls, fences, arbors and more with lush vines covered in flowers around the clock for the ultimate ornamental display!
So try combining these two classics in your garden this year and get ready to enjoy floral beauty morning, noon and night!
Morning Glory: A Sun-Loving Climber
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) thrives in full sun and produces delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. These blossoms open at dawn to attract bees and butterflies with their nectar-rich centers.
The plant’s vines grow quickly and often reach 10 feet or more in a single season. With proper support and well-draining soil, they grow and climb effortlessly. Although each flower lasts only for a few hours, fresh blooms appear daily, which ensures continuous colors for your garden throughout the summer.
Some varieties like Ipomoea indica spread aggressively, which make them difficult to control. To prevent unwanted growth, remove spent flowers before they develop seeds.
Meanwhile, moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) take over at night. As dusk approaches, their large, white blossoms unfurl and fill the air with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. These nocturnal flowers attract nighttime pollinators, including moths and bats.
Moonflowers require the same growing conditions as their daytime counterpart: a full sun, well-draining soil, and strong support structures. However, they are more sensitive to cold. They may grow as perennials in warm climates and return year in and year out.
Moonflower vines can reach 15 feet in a single season to create a fast-growing vertical display. Their luminous blooms remain open all night before closing with the first rays of sunlight.
Best Companion Plants for Morning Glory and Moonflowers
Pairing these climbers with the right plants enhances their visual appeal and enhance their support for pollinators.
Sweet Peas: Adds pastel hues and a soft, delicate fragrance, complementing the bold blues and whites of morning glories and moonflowers while attracting bees and butterflies with their nectar.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine: Provides striking yellow and orange contrasts that make the deep purples, blues, and whites of morning glories and moonflowers stand out even more. This vine also offers additional nectar sources for pollinators.
Climbing Roses: Creates a textured, multi-layered display by intertwining with the vines. Climbing roses provide lush foliage, large blooms, and a classic romantic feel and also serve as shelter for beneficial insects.
Avoid planting these plants near beans or tomatoes, as they can compete for nutrients and climbing space.
Fit Gardening Ep 4: Morning Glories & Moonflowers 2022 ✨
FAQ
What flowers go with morning glories?
Black-eyed Susan and Marigolds attract pollinators while contrasting beautifully with White Morning Glory.Nov 24, 2024
Are moon flowers in the morning glory family?
It is a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “white.” Plant in locations with well-draining clay, loam, or sandy soil that receive full sun. Moonflower can grow to 15 feet in height and 3 to 6 feet in width.
Are moonflowers and morning glories the same thing?
What flower pairs well with morning glory?
Passionflower. These vine flowers are great options to pair with morning glories. They both have similar growing conditions, both climbers and are part of the fast-growing perennial vines. The passionflower vines will add a tropical ambience to your garden.
What is the difference between morning glory & Moonflower?
The long winding vines of morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) and moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) clamber over trellises, fences and walls during the long, warm days of summer. When comparing moonflower vs morning glory, the moonflower opens its fragrant white blossoms in the evening, while morning glory blossoms open in the morning.
Can you plant morning glories and moonflowers together?
By planting morning glories and moonflowers together, you can enjoy an endless succession of flower color from dawn to dusk throughout the season. With full sun, rich soil, ample water and smart vertical gardening techniques, these flowering vines will reward you with a lush, heavenly carpet of blossoms.
What makes Morning Glory & moonflowers unique?
Gardeners love plants that add beauty with minimal effort. Thankfully, morning glory and moonflowers fit the description perfectly. These fast-growing climbers transform fences, trellises, and pergolas into living walls of blossoms. But what makes them unique? Morning glory greets the world during sunrise while Moonflowers bloom as the sun sets.
What flowers go well with morning glories & moonflowers?
Here are some great options for planting alongside morning glories and moonflowers: Sunflowers – Another big, bold annual vine. Clematis – Showy, non-vining climbers. Cosmos – Bright daisy-like flowers. Marigolds – Cheerful, edible blooms. Zinnias – Vivid, butterfly-attracting flowers. Nasturtiums – Cascades of edible, funnel-shaped blooms.
How do you grow morning glories & moonflowers from seed?
Grow morning glories and moonflowers from seed each year for best performance. Use fertilizer low in nitrogen or blooms will be reduced. Soak seeds in water overnight before planting to speed germination. Pinch back tips frequently to encourage branching and flower production. Remove spent blooms daily to motivate more blossoms.
How do you climb morning glories & moonflowers?
Morning glories and moonflowers are vigorous climbers but they need some help reaching and clinging to supports. Here are some tips: Add string or twine up the support structure to encourage climbing. Tie stems loosely to the support as they grow using soft plant ties or cloth strips. Pinch off side shoots to promote upward growth.