Morning glories are an annual here, coming back strong every year, and in some cases getting out of control, so here are a few tips to get them in your yard this year just the way you want them.
Morning glories are a hardy ornamental vine that can survive Reno-Sparks’ dry and wide temperature-ranging climate.
They are often confused for the Creeping Jenny, another hardy vine that is infamous for taking over gardens. They both can have cup-like blooms, but morning glories typically have broader foliage. Creeping Jennys have leaves which are smaller and have a more circular shape.
The desirability of morning glories is up to the gardener. They are known for overtaking gardens, spreading out as ground cover and crawling vines. A gardener’s decision in whether or not they want to allow the plant to have the spotlight (or sunlight) it so passionately desires.
Water and Soil Conditions
Although they can survive harsh conditions, they thrive in moist soil. When gardeners are attending to their high-maintenance plants like their roses, they may also be fueling their morning glories, as they are less finicky.
The only time that they desperately need moist soil is when they are seeds before they germinate.
This also holds true when applying fertilizer. Adding fertilizer to your roses this Spring amay benefit them significantly, but it may also give your morning glory stragglers the boost they need to cover your entire backyard.
Pull Immediately!
If you do not want your entire garden entangled in the vine, pulling it before it develops hard-gripping roots into the soil is in your best interest. Once the roots of the vine develop, it may prove difficult to try pulling them with sheer strength.
What may work in a gardener’s favor is a spade. Using the spade to chop through the roots and disconnecting them will make it easier to yank them from the ground. This will also help in slowing the rate of grow-back.
If a gardener is content with their morning glories’ rate of spread, but still wants to keep the coverage’s shape contained, a simple pair of pruners should do the trick. However, the pruning may require frequency and consistency.
If consistent pruning sounds draining, cutting the plant back 3–4 inches than the preferred length will help space out pruning days.
Due to their adaptable behavior, pruning morning glories benefit their aesthetic appeal more than their overall health.
Go Wild!
If you are not afraid of a wild, viny garden, feel free to let the glory take over. The vines are an excellent way to decorate the blank surfaces of fences and raised beds.
If you do let the vines spread, be careful letting them near your precious plants. They can climb your tall stocking plants like your tomatoes and sunflowers. For the most part, this is harmless to the plants, but this can be overwhelming when trying to upkeep the plant that’s being climbed on.