If you’ve ever asked ‘what color are morning glories,’ you’ve touched on one of gardening’s most joyful surprises. The answer is vibrant and ever-changing, a dazzling display that shifts from dawn to dusk and across the seasons.
These fast-growing climbers are a favorite for good reason. They offer a spectacular show with minimal fuss, perfect for covering fences, trellises, or arches. Their magical quality lies not just in their beauty, but in their daily rhythm of bloom.
Each trumpet-shaped flower unfurls with the morning sun and often closes by afternoon. This daily performance means the colors you see change with the light, creating a living canvas in your garden.
What Color Are Morning Glories – Vibrant and Ever-Changing
So, let’s look at the incredible palette morning glories provide. From classic blues to rare hues, the variety is astonishing. The color can even appear different on a single plant throughout the day.
The Core Spectrum of Morning Glory Colors
Morning glories are not limited to one shade. Breeders have developed a huge range over centuries. Here are the most common color families you’ll find:
- Heavenly Blues: The iconic sky-blue with a white throat. This is perhaps the most famous color, a true clear azure that seems to capture the morning sky.
- Purples and Violets: Ranging from deep, royal purple to soft lavender. These colors add a rich, regal feel to any garden corner.
- Pinks and Magentas: From delicate shell-pink to intense hot pink. These varieties bring a soft or lively cheerfulness.
- Reds and Crimsons: Less common but striking, some varieties offer a deep, velvety red bloom.
- Whites and Creams: Pure white varieties like ‘Pearl Gates’ or creamy cultivars provide elegance and help other colors pop.
What Causes the “Ever-Changing” Colors?
The phrase “ever-changing” isn’t just poetic. Several real factors make these flowers dynamic.
- Daily Light Changes: A blue morning glory may look deep violet in the early dawn light, shift to a pure blue at midday, and take on a faded, softer hue before it closes. The angle and intensity of light literally change how we precieve the pigment.
- Soil pH (A Minor Influence): While not as dramatic as with hydrangeas, soil acidity can subtly influence the intensity of some colors, particularly pinks and blues.
- Bloom Lifecycle: A brand new flower at dawn is often at its most vibrant. As the day wears on and the flower begins its process of closing, the color can fade or change slightly, especially in hot sun.
- Genetic Variations: Some heirloom varieties, like ‘Grandpa Ott’s,’ have blooms that show different shades on the same vine, adding to the patchwork effect.
Popular Varieties and Their Specific Hues
Choosing a variety is the best way to plan your color scheme. Here are some standout types:
- ‘Heavenly Blue’: The classic sky-blue. It’s a must-grow for any enthusiast and is remarkably easy from seed.
- ‘Grandpa Ott’s’: A deep purple with a striking magenta star in the throat. This is a vigorous grower with darker green foliage.
- ‘Scarlett O’Hara’: A bold, true scarlet-red flower. It’s a real showstopper and attracts hummingbirds reliably.
- ‘Cameo Elegance’: A beautiful example of bi-color, with soft pink edges fading to a creamy white center.
- ‘Milky Way’: A white flower speckled with tiny red or pink dots, resembling a starry night sky.
How to Grow Your Own Color Display
Getting these colors to flourish in your garden is straightforward. Follow these steps for success.
Step 1: Planting Seeds for Success
Morning glories grow best from seed sown directly in the ground. They have a hard seed coat, so for better germination, you should nick the seed with a file or soak them in warm water for 24 hours before planting. This simple trick makes a big difference.
- Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm.
- Choose a full sun location—at least 6-8 hours of direct sun is needed for the best bloom color.
- Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 6 inches apart.
- Water gently but thoroughly. You should see seedlings in 7-14 days.
Step 2: Providing the Right Support
These are climbing vines. They need something to twine around immediately. Install your support at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later.
- Use a trellis, netting, obelisk, or even a simple string frame.
- Guide the young seedlings toward the support; they’ll quickly take over.
- Ensure the structure is sturdy—a mature vine covered in blooms can be surprisingly heavy, especially after rain.
Step 3: Care for Maximum Color
Morning glories thrive on a bit of neglect when it comes to rich soil and fertilizer. Too much nitrogen leads to lush leaves but few flowers, muting your color display.
- Watering: Water regularly while young. Mature vines are quite drought-tolerant. Overwatering can reduce flowering.
- Feeding: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. A balanced or slightly phosphorus-heavy feed once a month is plenty, if needed at all.
- Deadheading: Not required, but removing spent blooms can encourage more flowers and prevent self-seeding, which can be aggressive in some areas.
A Note on Invasiveness and Responsibility
Some morning glory species, particularly the common annual (Ipomoea purpurea), can self-seed prolifically. In some warmer climates, certain types are considered invasive. To enjoy their color responsibly:
- Check with your local extension service to see if any restrictions exist.
- Deadhead spent flowers to prevent seed pods from forming and spreading.
- Consider growing them in containers to limit their spread.
- Stick to cultivated varieties rather than wild types.
Designing With Morning Glory Colors
Use their colors to create stunning garden effects. The changing hues offer unique opportunities.
- Monochromatic Scheme: Plant several vines of ‘Heavenly Blue’ together for a massive, impactful sweep of cool blue that changes with the clouds.
- Sunrise Blend: Mix pinks, yellows, and creamy whites for a soft, dawn-like effect that glows in the early light.
- High Contrast: Pair deep purple ‘Grandpa Ott’s’ with a pure white variety. The two will make each other look even more intense.
- Container Focus: Grow a single vine in a large pot with a small obelisk. It becomes a movable color feature for your patio.
FAQs About Morning Glory Colors
Do morning glory colors change based on soil?
Slightly, but not like hydrangeas. Soil pH can intensify or soften shades, but it won’t turn a blue flower pink. The main color is determined by the plant’s genetics.
Why did my morning glories not bloom, or have pale color?
This is almost always due to too much nitrogen (from fertilizer or rich soil), not enough sun (they need full sun for vibrant color), or overwatering. They prefer somewhat poor, well-drained soil for the best flower production.
Are there truly black or yellow morning glories?
Yes! ‘Black Knight’ has flowers so deep purple they appear black. There are also lovely buttery yellow and even near-orange cultivars now, like ‘Lemonade’ or ‘Sunrise Serenade’.
Do morning glories only bloom in the morning?
Most varieties open with the sun and close by mid-afternoon, especially on hot days. However, some newer cultivars and species, like the ‘Moonflower’ (a night-blooming cousin), have different schedules, extending the show.
Can I save seeds from my morning glories to get the same color next year?
You can, but be aware that many are hybrids. Seeds saved from hybrid plants may not come true to the parent’s color, potentially reverting to a different, often more common, hue. For guaranteed color, it’s best to buy new seeds from a reputable source each year.
From the first cool blue bloom of summer to the last crimson flower before frost, morning glories provide a dynamic spectacle. Their vibrant and ever-changing colors are a daily gift in the garden, a simple reminder of natures endless creativity. With a little care and the right placement, you can enjoy this beautiful, shifting palette right outside your window.