Annual morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) is a quick-growing flowering vine that thrives in warm sunny spots. Their large flowers open in the morning to the delight of the early bird gardener. But just mentioning the name “morning glory” can cause concern among some. If you’ve lived in warmer areas of the United States, you might know annual morning glory as a nuisance weed. And the hard-to-manage weeds called bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) share the common name of “morning glory,” but are very different plants.
One of the most noticeable differences between bindweed and annual morning glory is their growth habits. Both are vines with trumpet-shaped flowers but behave very differently in the garden. Bindweeds are perennial and spread through underground roots (up to 9 feet deep!). It can grow in a variety of soil types and is often found in fields, gardens and along roadsides. Bindweed plants tend to grow along the ground or in low-lying plants like vegetables, grass, herbs, and shrubs. Bindweed can be incredibly difficult to manage.
Here in Oregon, annual morning glory plants won’t survive a frost, and vine growth is limited by the shorter growing season. Annual morning glory grows from seed and the plants may self-sow. This means that seeds produced by the previous year’s plant will sprout and regrow in the same place. The seeds can survive in the soil for several decades so may show up in the same area for years. Luckily, unwanted seedlings are easy to control by hand-pulling.
The leaves and flowers of the two plants are also different. Bindweed leaves are arrow-shaped and smaller than the leaves of annual morning glory (see photo). Annual morning glory leaves are large and heart-shaped. Bindweed flowers are white or pink and about 1 inch across.
Annual morning glory flowers are larger (2-6 inches across depending on the cultivar). The flowers come in various colors, from blue to red and purple to pink and white. Annual morning glory blooms from early summer until the first frost.
Morning glories are classic flowering vines that evoke feelings of nostalgia and simple beauty. Their trumpet-shaped blooms unfurl in the morning sunlight, decorating fences and arbors with a profusion of color. Of the many lovely morning glory varieties, the pink and white forms offer a delicate, romantic look perfect for cottage gardens.
In this complete guide, we’ll explore how to successfully grow these pretty pink and white morning glories to add a touch of vintage charm to your landscape.
An Overview of Pink and White Morning Glories
Morning glories belong to the Convolvulaceae family and the genus Ipomoea. They are tender annual vines best known for their gorgeous trumpet-shaped blooms that open with the morning sun.
Popular pink and white varieties include:
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Pink ruffled morning glory – ‘Rosea’ strain with lightly ruffled shell pink flowers and white throats, Stunning on trellises
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Calystegia macrostegia – California native with pale pink blooms Non-invasive roots
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Heavenly blue morning glory – Classic sky blue with white centers. Gorgeous combined with pinks.
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Grandpa Ott – Deep purple with white star-shaped centers. Stunning contrast with pinks.
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Cardinal climber – Brilliant red trumpet flowers adored by hummingbirds.
Morning glories offer nostalgic, cottage-garden appeal and are easy to grow from seed. Let’s look at how to plant and care for them.
Tips for Growing Morning Glories from Seed
Morning glories are quite easy to start from seed. Follow these tips:
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Select a sunny location with well-draining soil. They need at least 6 hours of full sun daily.
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Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost date when soil is warm, at least 60°F.
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Plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep and 8-12 inches apart if sowing a row or cluster.
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Soaking seeds for 12-24 hours before planting can speed up germination.
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Keep seeds moist until they sprout in 7-14 days. Water gently to avoid washing seeds away.
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Seeds can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your frost date. Use peat or newspaper pots.
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Transplant seedlings outside after hardening off for 5-7 days. Handle seedlings gently.
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Add a trellis, fence, arbor, or tepee at planting time to support the vines.
How to Care for Morning Glories
Here are some tips for providing the right care once your morning glory vines are up and growing:
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week depending on your climate, more in hot weather. Avoid wet foliage.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks if growth seems stunted.
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Keep vines trimmed back as needed to control size and promote bushy growth.
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Prune off spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Deadhead frequently.
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Watch for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and Japanese beetles. Hose off or apply insecticidal soap.
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Protect vines from strong winds, which can damage stems and flowers.
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Most morning glories self-seed readily. Weed out unwanted seedlings each spring.
With proper care, your morning glories will thrive and bloom prolifically from midsummer until fall frost.
Design Ideas for Pink and White Morning Glories
The versatile, romantic beauty of pink and white morning makes them ideal for many garden uses:
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Train vines up a garden obelisk or arbor to create a focal point.
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Edge a vegetable garden with morning glories on a short trellis as a flowering border.
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Plant at the base of mailbox or light post and allow to climb up.
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Combine varieties for a cottage garden rainbow on a split rail fence.
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Grow morning glories with moonflowers for a night and day show.
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Adorn a child’s playhouse or fort with morning glory tepees.
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Plant in containers and train the vines up decorative towers.
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Group pots together and connect with bamboo poles for a quick screen.
Have fun playing with morning glory vines to add vertical color wherever you need it!
Overwintering Morning Glories
As tender annual vines, morning glory plants cannot survive freezing winter temperatures. But you have a few options to enjoy them each season:
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In frost-free zones (9-11), they may self-seed reliably each spring.
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Take cuttings in late summer to propagate new plants for the next year.
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Before the first fall frost, collect and save dried seed pods to replant. Store in a cool, dry place.
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For exotic varieties, bring potted plants indoors before frost to overwinter as houseplants. Provide bright light.
With a little planning, you can ensure an abundant show of morning glories in your garden year after year.
Common Problems With Morning Glories
When given suitable growing conditions, morning glories are relatively trouble-free. But here are some potential issues to watch for:
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Poor or no germination – Ensure seeds are not planted too deep. Maintain consistent moisture.
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Yellowed, distorted leaves – A sign of insect pests like aphids, thrips, or spider mites. Inspect and apply control measures.
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No flowers – Extreme heat, over-fertilization, and insufficient sunlight can prevent blooming.
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Wilting, dying vines – Can indicate fungal disease. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.
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Slow growth – Make sure vines get 6+ hours of direct sun daily and regular water.
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Self-seeding – Morning glories readily reseed. Uproot unwanted volunteer seedlings.
With proper care, trouble-free morning glories will thrive season after season in your garden!
Unique Varieties to Try Beyond Pink and White
While classic pink and white morning glories have enduring appeal, there are also many unique varieties you may want to try:
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Chocolate – Rich mahogany-red with pale yellow centers. Stunning.
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Scarlett O’Hara – Vibrant red blooms with minimal fading. Great for cutting.
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Flying Saucers – Space-age, star-shaped blossoms in blue, pink, white and bicolor.
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Morning Glory Vine – Tricolor pink, white, and blue flowers resemble miniature water lilies.
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Picotee – Blue flowers edged in white have a delightful vintage look. Prolific bloomer.
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Sunspots – Pale yellow with dramatic dark red centers. Love sun and heat.
Branch out from classic pink and white morning glories to find new favorites!
The Ease and Charm of Morning Glories
With their delicate coloring and vintage appeal, pink and white morning glories are garden classics for good reason. They offer nostalgic beauty and are so easy to grow from seed. Give them a spot in full sun, provide some basic care, and enjoy their cheery blossoms all season long.
Experiment with fun design ideas like trellises, tepees, and containers to highlight these trailing vines. And consider combining heirloom varieties for multi-hued, cottage garden charm. Morning glories promise a glorious floral display with hardly any effort on your part. Let their trumpets herald each summer morning in your garden.
Cultivars of annual morning glory to try:
- Heavenly Blue (4- to 5-inch blue flowers)
- Scarlett O’Hara (4-inch red flowers)
- Flying Saucers (5- to 6-inch variegated blue and white flowers)
- Grandpa Ott’s (2- to 3-inch deep purple flowers with a red center)
- Zeeland Hybrid (mix of pink, purple, white, and variegated flowers)
Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension:
A vine of field bindweed with arrow-shaped leaves compared to the large heart shape leaves of Annual Morning Glory. Credit: Brooke Edmunds, Oregon State University
Annual morning glory flowers come in various colors included variegated (multi-colored). Credit: Brooke Edmunds, Oregon State University
Annual Morning Glory is a vining plant and requires a fence or trellis to grow on. Credit: Brooke Edmunds, Oregon State University
How to grow annual morning glory:
- Choose a site that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Annual morning glory also grows well in containers.
- Make sure there is a trellis or fence for the plants to climb. Annual morning glory vines can grow up to 15 feet long depending on the cultivar.
- Annual morning glory is a heat-loving plant, so wait until the soil warms up to at least 60 F. Then, plant the seeds directly in the soil about ¼” deep. Keep the soil moist.
- Once past the seedling stage, the plants tolerate dry soil but appreciate irrigation during heat waves.
morning glory pink and white
FAQ
Do morning glories prefer sun or shade?
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Full sun is ideal:They produce the most vibrant blooms and best growth in full sun conditions.
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Partial shade is okay:They can adapt to some shade, particularly if it’s combined with morning sun.
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Morning sun is best:As their name suggests, they benefit from the morning sun for optimal blooming.
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Consider afternoon shade:In hot areas, providing afternoon shade can help prevent the plant from overheating.
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Leaf discoloration:Pay attention to leaf discoloration, as it can be a sign that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight.
Will morning glories come back every year?
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.comHow to Grow and Care for Morning Glory – The SpruceApr 8, 2025 — Do morning glories come back every year? Morning glories will come back every year in zones where they are hardy: 9 through 11. In zones that are jus…
Why did morning glory change its color?
As the ice evaporated and carbon dioxide built up in the surrounding air, the acidity increased, causing the pigments stored in tiny vacuoles, or bubbles in …Mar 2, 2016
What do morning glory flowers look like?
The flowers are shaped like trumpets and come in many colors, including white, purple, blue and pink. Some morning glory flowers have contrasting tints appearing in their throats, as streaks, or as borders along the edges of the petals.
What is a morning glory plant?
Originating from Tropical America, the Common Morning Glory is the most popular species of its kind. Its iconic trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in a stunning range of colors, including purple, pink, blue, and white. The plant is a fast-growing climber with heart-shaped leaves, ideal for brightening up fences, trellises, or garden walls.
What are the different types of Morning Glory?
Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) Characteristics: Most common type, trumpet-shaped flowers in purple, pink, blue, and white. Heavenly Blue (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’) Characteristics: Showy blue flowers with a white center, a classic choice. Scarlet Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederifolia)
How tall does morning glory grow?
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) This is a unique morning glory that will grow to be quite tall; in fact, it can easily grow to be 10 feet tall when it is trained correctly. The blooms are typically magenta, red, white, blue, or pink, and they grow well in soil that is well-draining and full sun. 7. Scarlett O’Hara Morning Glory
Are Morning Glory perennials?
Morning glories are perennial in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, where they produce flowers year-round and continue to propagate new plants by self-seeding. Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) Characteristics: Most common type, trumpet-shaped flowers in purple, pink, blue, and white.
When do morning glories Bloom?
Morning glories are tender annuals, so they are sensitive to cool temperatures and late frosts. They bloom from early summer to the first frost of fall. Their fragrant, colorful flowers come in pink, purple-blue, magenta, or white colors. Pollinators love Morning Glories’ trumpet-shaped blooms.