Morning glories, with their trumpet-shaped blooms and vibrant colours, are a truly enchanting sight. While often seen climbing garden trellises, bringing them indoors presents a unique challenge due to their delicate nature.
Many people wonder about the different types of morning glory and if they can be enjoyed in a vase. The answer is yes, but it requires a bit of know-how.
Let's explore some beautiful varieties and the secrets to making their fleeting beauty last.
1. Heavenly Blue
This is arguably the most recognised morning glory, celebrated for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers that can reach 10-12 cm across.
The petals are a pure, azure-blue that seems to glow in the morning light, surrounding a soft white and buttery yellow throat. As the day progresses, the blue gracefully fades to a soft, pinkish-purple before the flower closes.
2. Grandpa Ott's
An heirloom variety, 'Grandpa Ott's' features smaller, but incredibly intense, deep purple blooms with a velvety texture. Each flower is marked with a striking ruby-red or magenta star in its centre, creating a dramatic and captivating contrast. This variety is a vigorous climber and is cherished for its rich, traditional colouring.
3. Scarlett O'Hara
True to its dramatic name, this morning glory produces brilliant, solid crimson-red flowers that are impossible to ignore. The blooms are about 8-10 cm wide and have a clean white throat that makes the red appear even more vibrant. Its heart-shaped leaves provide a lush green backdrop for the fiery flowers.
4. Flying Saucers
This is a truly unique and eye-catching variety due to its variegated pattern. The large flowers have a white base and are irregularly streaked and splashed with wedges of sky-blue, with no two flowers being exactly alike. The pinwheel-like pattern gives it a whimsical and almost psychedelic appearance.
5. Kniola's Black
For a touch of gothic drama, 'Kniola's Black' offers some of the darkest flowers available, appearing as a deep, velvety black in the shade. In direct sun, they reveal their true colour: a rich, dark purple with a contrasting pale pink or magenta throat. These smaller, prolific blooms create a stunning effect against their green leaves.
6. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
A close relative of the morning glory, the Moonflower is its nocturnal counterpart. It produces huge, pure white flowers up to 15 cm across that unfurl in the evening and release a beautiful, sweet fragrance throughout the night. The large, heart-shaped leaves are also a prominent feature of this stunning vine.
7. Carnivale di Venezia
This heirloom variety appears to have been hand-painted with candy stripes. The flowers have a white background and are distinctly striped with either pink, purple, or blue from the throat to the edge of the petals. The effect is cheerful and old-fashioned, reminiscent of a festive Venetian carnival.
8. Split Second
'Split Second' breaks the mould of the typical morning glory shape with its fully double, peony-like flowers. Its petals are a soft, rose-pink and have a frilly, ruffled texture that gives the bloom a soft and romantic appearance. This variety is less vigorous, making it suitable for containers.
9. Blue Star
This variety features delicate, pale sky-blue flowers that are slightly smaller than 'Heavenly Blue'. Its defining characteristic is a neat, five-pointed star pattern in a darker shade of blue that radiates from the white throat. It is a subtle and charming flower that blooms profusely.
10. Cypress Vine
Cypress Vine stands out more for its foliage than its flowers, featuring delicate, feathery leaves that resemble a fern. It produces a multitude of small, star-shaped flowers in intense shades of scarlet red, pink, or white. The combination of the fine-textured leaves and vibrant, star-like blooms makes it a favourite for attracting hummingbirds.
11. Japanese Imperial (Ipomoea nil)
This is not a single variety but a diverse group of cultivars highly prized in Japan for their extraordinary beauty. They are known for having very large, often ruffled or frilled flowers that can feature intricate patterns like splashes, speckles, and contrasting borders (picotee). The colours range from deep purples and blues to soft pinks and unique brownish tones.
12. Milky Way
A simple yet beautiful variety, 'Milky Way' has creamy white flowers with five distinct, symmetrical purple or blue stripes. The stripes run neatly from the centre to the edge, giving the bloom a clean, pinwheel-like appearance. It is a reliable and prolific bloomer with classic charm.
Conclusion About The Types of Morning Glory
Embracing the many types of morning glory is about appreciating a special kind of beauty—one that is vibrant, enchanting, and truly in the moment.
Their brief but spectacular display is a perfect reminder to celebrate the day, making them a unique choice for a breakfast table surprise or a thoughtful morning gift. This is not a flower for waiting; it is a flower for celebrating the now.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Types of Morning Glory
Why Do My Cut Morning Glories Wilt So Fast?
Morning glory flowers are naturally short-lived, with each bloom typically lasting only a single day. They wilt quickly after being cut because their delicate stems struggle to absorb enough water to sustain the petals. Sealing the stem ends can help improve water uptake.
What Time Of Day Is Best To Cut Morning Glories?
The best time to cut morning glories is very early in the morning, right after the sun has risen and the flowers have just opened. This is when they are at their freshest and most hydrated, which gives them the best chance of lasting in a vase.
Can I Mix Morning Glories With Other Flowers In A Bouquet?
Yes, you can. They pair beautifully with other delicate flowers like baby's breath, sweet peas, or forget-me-nots. Just be mindful that the morning glories will likely fade before the other flowers, so you may need to remove them from the arrangement after a day.
Do Unopened Morning Glory Buds Open After Cutting?
Sometimes, yes. If you choose a stem with several healthy-looking, unopened buds, some may open the following morning. This is a great way to extend the visual appeal of your floral arrangement for another day.
