How to Train Morning Glory Vines

Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) vines twine gracefully up fences or they sprawl over the ground. They thrive in sunny garden beds during the frost-free days of summer. These annual vines quickly grow 15 feet or taller in a short time, making them an attractive natural solution for privacy or covering an unsightly fence. Although these vines twine on their own, training them ensures even coverage of the support and prevents them from growing too tall for the location.

Support
Compost
Bowl

Instructions

- 1
  Work a 1 inch layer of compost into the top 6 inches of soil along the base of a support. Fences, trellises and lattice screens provide suitable locations for morning glories.
- 2
  Soak the morning glory seeds in warm water overnight the day before planting. Soaking speeds germination by weakening the seed coat.
- 3
  Sow the seeds ¼ inch deep and about 6 inches apart. Set the seeds 3 to 6 inches away from the base of the support so they can climb easily without growing across the ground to reach the base of the support.
- 4
  Weave the tip of each morning glory plant into the support once the plant grows 6 to 12 inches high. Continue to wrap the tip of the vine counterclockwise around the support as it grows, training it toward the top of the fence or trellis.
- 5
  Bend the tip of the vine down when it reaches the top of the support. Wind it around the support working down, directly next to the upward climbing vine. Alternatively, bend it over the top of the support and wind it down the other side so you have flowers and greenery covering both sides of the support.

Seed Requirements for Distichlis Spicata

How to Transplant an Old Wisteria & Grapevine

Groundcovers & Vines