Open-Pollinated Morning Glories

Heirloom Morning Glory

• The traditional morning glory has the Latin name Ipomoea purpurea, and varieties called heirloom morning glory are open-pollinating. Non-hybrid morning glories are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10, so they flourish in many different temperatures. These annual climbing vines produce bell-shaped flowers in white, purple, red, pink and blue. Morning glories have been popular in the United States since the 18th century, and pioneers used to plant them outside of log cabins, and many heirloom varieties are the same plants today.

Heirloom Varieties

• There are many varieties of open pollinating or heirloom morning glories that produce different colors of flowers. These varieties include Grandpa Ott's, Scarlett O'Hara, Carolina, Cypress Vine, Cardinal Climber, Star of Yelta, Kniolas, Heavenly Blue and Crimson Rambler.

Mexican Morning Glory

• The Mexican morning glory, also called cathedral bells or cup and saucer vine, has the Latin name Cobaea scandens. Rated for USDA Zone 9, this hardy climbing vine produces large, purple, bell-shaped flowers. This annual morning glory variety is prized for its rapid growth and ability to climb trellises quickly.

Four O'Clocks

• Four o'clock plants are also known as dwarf morning glory, belle de nuit, noon-sleep and mirabilis, and their Latin name is Mirabilis jalapa. These tender, perennial climbing vines produce fragrant flowers that open in the afternoon, giving the plant their name.

Care

• Open-pollinated morning glories are very hardy plants, but they do resist transplanting. Plant heirloom morning glory vines in full sun and well-drained soil after the first frost has passed. Seeds should be soaked in water and the hard outer shells cut or nicked to allow the sprouts a place to break through. If you plant more than one variety side-by-side, they will cross-pollinate and produce hybrid seeds, so isolate plants you want to harvest true seeds from.