What Are the Characteristics of a Morning Glory?

Size

• The morning glory vine is an annual, sown from seeds in the springtime or started from seeds indoors before transplanting the vine outside. Its stems can grow as much as 6 to 10 feet in one growing season before dying when cold weather comes, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Morning glory vines brought to the United States as ornamentals escaped cultivation, with their seeds scattered throughout the countryside, where the vine naturalized.

Leaves

• Heart-shaped foliage is a characteristic of the morning glory vine. In some instances, especially with the older leaves, the bases overlap one another. The stems are fairly long, reports the Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide. The leaves possess hairs that do not stick up, but rather lie flat on the surfaces. Leaves reach lengths between 2 and 5 inches.

Flowers

• A lengthy blooming period enhances the value of the morning glory vine. The vine begins to flower in June and continues through October in some cases. Flowers, shaped like trumpets, may be a variety of colors. Purple and white are the main colors, with most flowers being mostly purple, but with white on their insides. Flowers can be as long as 3 inches and have widths of 2 ½ inches.

Growing Condtions

• A structure to give the morning glory vine support as it grows is necessary. Damp soil in full sunshine is the best location for the morning glory. Many people give the vine a head start, planting it in container inside as early as 8 weeks prior to the average last frost date. If you plant the seeds outdoors once the last frost date passes, it takes much longer for the vine to generate flowers. Morning glory vines have no serious insect pests or diseases that affect them. Common uses for this vine include the adorning of decks, trellises, arbors and fences.