A Guide to Growing Stunning Pink and White Morning Glories

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 pretty pink and white morning glories to add a touch of vintage charm to your landscape.

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:

• Pink ruffled morning glory – ‘Rosea’ strain with lightly ruffled shell pink flowers and white throats. Stunning on trellises.

• Calystegia macrostegia – California native with pale pink blooms. Non-invasive roots.

• Heavenly blue morning glory – Classic sky blue with white centers. Gorgeous combined with pinks.

• Grandpa Ott – Deep purple with white star-shaped centers. Stunning contrast with pinks.

• 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:

• Select a sunny location with well-draining soil. They need at least 6 hours of full sun daily.

• Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost date when soil is warm, at least 60°F.

• Plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep and 8-12 inches apart if sowing a row or cluster.

• Soaking seeds for 12-24 hours before planting can speed up germination.

• Keep seeds moist until they sprout in 7-14 days. Water gently to avoid washing seeds away.

• Seeds can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your frost date. Use peat or newspaper pots.

• Transplant seedlings outside after hardening off for 5-7 days. Handle seedlings gently.

• 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:

• Water deeply 1-2 times per week depending on your climate, more in hot weather. Avoid wet foliage.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks if growth seems stunted.

• Keep vines trimmed back as needed to control size and promote bushy growth.

• Prune off spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Deadhead frequently.

• Watch for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and Japanese beetles. Hose off or apply insecticidal soap.

• Protect vines from strong winds, which can damage stems and flowers.

• 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:

• Train vines up a garden obelisk or arbor to create a focal point.

• Edge a vegetable garden with morning glories on a short trellis as a flowering border.

• Plant at the base of mailbox or light post and allow to climb up.

• Combine varieties for a cottage garden rainbow on a split rail fence.

• Grow morning glories with moonflowers for a night and day show.

• Adorn a child’s playhouse or fort with morning glory tepees.

• Plant in containers and train the vines up decorative towers.

• 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:

• In frost-free zones (9-11), they may self-seed reliably each spring.

• Take cuttings in late summer to propagate new plants for the next year.

• Before the first fall frost, collect and save dried seed pods to replant. Store in a cool, dry place.

• 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:

• Poor or no germination – Ensure seeds are not planted too deep. Maintain consistent moisture.

• Yellowed, distorted leaves – A sign of insect pests like aphids, thrips, or spider mites. Inspect and apply control measures.

• No flowers – Extreme heat, over-fertilization, and insufficient sunlight can prevent blooming.

• Wilting, dying vines – Can indicate fungal disease. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.

• Slow growth – Make sure vines get 6+ hours of direct sun daily and regular water.

• 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:

• Chocolate – Rich mahogany-red with pale yellow centers. Stunning.

• Scarlett O’Hara – Vibrant red blooms with minimal fading. Great for cutting.

• Flying Saucers – Space-age, star-shaped blossoms in blue, pink, white and bicolor.

• Morning Glory Vine – Tricolor pink, white, and blue flowers resemble miniature water lilies.

• Picotee – Blue flowers edged in white have a delightful vintage look. Prolific bloomer.

• 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 effort