Ipomoea, dazzling blue blooms as deep as the universe

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Flowers shaped like wide trumpets open in waves along stems that twine 3 to 6 metres up a lattice in a matter of weeks, each bloom short-lived but endlessly replaced. Oceanblue morning glory (Ipomoea indica) is grown as a fast annual screen; water it well in full sun and it flowers from June to November.

Although it can be quite invasive, ipomoea requires very little care and will quickly satisfy you whether in the garden or on a terrace.

Planting ipomoea

In tropical environments it grows as a perennial, but in colder latitudes it grows as an annual. It won’t grow back from the same plant year after year.

Sow under cover starting from the month of March, transplant in April and plant in the ground starting from the month of May in a blend of earth, soil mix and organic soil conditioner.

• Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 1 hour before sowing to trigger sprouting.
• It’s also possible to sow directly in the ground starting in mid-May but blooming will only occur much later, which is a bit sad for an annual plant.
• Place Ipomoea indica in a very sunny spot.
• Place it next to a spot that is often used like a terrace, to fully take advantage of its beautiful blooming.

Growing ipomoea in pots

Growing ipomoea in pots is perfectly possible and it even makes a lot of sense to decorate a terrace or balcony.

• For that, select a pot that is wide enough, about 12 inches (30 cm).
• Ensure that the bottom of the pot has a hole in it and ideally pour a bed of clay pebbles along the bottom.
• Fill the pot up with flower plant soil mix.
• Water as soon as the surface soil is dry without flooding the plant.

Sowing, planting or potting: which route to take

Ipomoea can be started early under cover, sown straight into the ground, or grown entirely in a container. The choice mostly decides how soon the trumpets appear.

Whichever route you choose, a very sunny spot remains the deciding factor.

Pruning and caring for ipomoea

Ipomoea has the advantage of being very easy to care for and only requires very little attention.

Pruning ipomoea

It doesn’t need any pruning because ipomoea only lives for a year.

If however it starts spreading too far, you can simply cut off a few stems whenever you feel it needs to be reduced.

Watering ipomoea

Ipomoea must be watered often, especially in case of elevated temperature.

Mulch along the foot of it will help keep the moisture in after having watered, and thus reduces the frequency that you’ll need to do it.

The more you water, the more ipomoea will spread and bloom.

All there is to know about ipomoea

The growth of this plant is very quick: it can reach 3 to 6 meters within a couple weeks. It’s sometimes called oceanblue morning glory.

It has the advantage of twining and so will attach to lattices, fences or other objects on its own.

Its blooming is abundant and its flowers form nice trumpets. Their lifespan is quite short, but they will tirelessly re-seed themselves.

Regular but moderate watering is advised during the blooming.

• Morning glory (Ipomoea) trumpets open in the early morning and are already furling shut by afternoon, so site this particular vine where you pass it at breakfast time.
• Go easy on nitrogen-rich feeds: common morning glories such as Ipomoea purpurea and I. tricolor tend to answer them with masses of heart-shaped leaves and comparatively few trumpet-shaped flowers.

Smart tip about ipomoea

Think to water it in the evening to reduce evaporation and thus save on water which is a rare resource.