Morning glories are celebrated for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers and rapid growth, making them ideal for transforming fences, trellises, and walls into stunning displays of color. As climbing vines or bushy plants, they are a favorite among gardeners worldwide, offering a wide range of hues and patterns. The funnel-shaped flowers, which bloom in the morning and close by afternoon, come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Preferring warm climates, plenty of sunlight, and well-drained soil, these plants thrive in USDA zones 3-11, making them versatile and beloved additions to gardens.
In this article, we will take a closer look at 28 different varieties of morning glories, each offering its own unique appeal.
Popular Morning Glory Varieties
Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Originating from Tropical America, the Common Morning Glory is the most popular species of its kind. Its iconic trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in a stunning range of colors, including purple, pink, blue, and white. The plant is a fast-growing climber with heart-shaped leaves, ideal for brightening up fences, trellises, or garden walls. Thriving in sunny conditions, it’s easy to grow and maintain, making it a favorite among gardeners. This variety blooms in the early morning and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding ecological value while creating a vibrant and cheerful garden atmosphere.
Heavenly Blue (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’)
Heavenly Blue, a cultivar of Ipomoea tricolor, is beloved for its striking azure-blue flowers with a pure white center. This elegant morning glory variety produces larger blooms, offering a classic yet bold appearance. The plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for decorating arbors, pergolas, and fences. With its vigorous climbing habit and stunning color, Heavenly Blue is a favorite for creating picturesque garden settings. Its flowers bloom profusely throughout the growing season, adding a calming, serene charm to any outdoor space.
Scarlet Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederifolia)
Native to North America, the Scarlet Morning Glory is a striking vine featuring vivid red trumpet-shaped flowers with darker central throats. This fast-growing climber is particularly valued for its bold color, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant’s delicate stems and narrow leaves add an airy elegance to garden trellises, walls, or fences. Easy to grow in sunny locations, it thrives in well-drained soil and can quickly cover vertical spaces, creating a vibrant display. Scarlet Morning Glory is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dynamic splash of red in their landscapes.
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Cypress Vine, a native of Tropical America, stands out with its feathery, fern-like foliage and small, star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, or white. This fast-growing climber is perfect for trellises, arbors, or fences, lending a delicate, lace-like texture to garden designs. Despite its fragile appearance, it’s a hardy plant that thrives in sunny areas and well-drained soil. The blooms attract hummingbirds and bees, making it a favorite for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its unique foliage and dainty flowers create a whimsical, enchanting effect, adding a special touch to outdoor spaces.
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Moonflower, native to Tropical America, is a nocturnal wonder with large, fragrant white blooms that open at dusk and close by morning. This climbing vine is ideal for night gardens, where its luminous flowers can be enjoyed under moonlight. Its blossoms emit a sweet fragrance, attracting moths and other nighttime pollinators. Moonflower thrives in warm, sunny climates and grows rapidly, making it suitable for adorning fences, trellises, or pergolas. Its ability to add elegance and mystery to any garden, combined with its delightful scent, makes Moonflower a cherished choice for evening landscapes.
Flying Saucers (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Flying Saucers’)
A captivating cultivar of Ipomoea tricolor, Flying Saucers is renowned for its saucer-shaped flowers with distinctive patterns. Each bloom features a dark central eye that fades into lighter hues, creating a striking contrast. Typically in shades of blue, purple, and white, these flowers are a showstopper in any garden. This fast-growing climber thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil, making it ideal for trellises and fences. Its unique blooms resemble painted patterns, adding an artistic flair to outdoor spaces, and attract pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.
Japanese Morning Glory (Ipomoea nil)
Native to Asia, the Japanese Morning Glory offers an incredible variety of colors and flower forms. Unlike traditional morning glories, this species features unique shapes, including ruffled, fringed, and double blooms. Available in shades ranging from deep purples to soft pastels, its striking flowers make it a prized addition to ornamental gardens. The plant grows vigorously, climbing walls, fences, or arbors, and flourishes in sunny conditions with minimal care. Its rich cultural history and breathtaking diversity make it a favorite among gardeners and flower enthusiasts worldwide.
Star Ipomoea (Ipomoea acuminata)
The Star Ipomoea, native to Tropical America, is celebrated for its star-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white. This climbing vine adds a touch of charm and whimsy to gardens, especially when grown on trellises or walls. Its flowers are smaller but abundant, creating a delicate yet striking display. Star Ipomoea is easy to grow, thrives in sunny locations, and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Perfect for gardeners seeking an elegant and unique addition to their outdoor space, it’s a delightful species to cultivate.
Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
A true survivor of coastal ecosystems, Beach Morning Glory is a vigorous vine found on tropical shorelines worldwide. Its thick, heart-shaped leaves and pink or purple funnel-shaped flowers are perfectly adapted to sandy, saline soils. Often used to stabilize dunes, this plant prevents erosion while adding beauty to beachscapes. Its sprawling habit makes it an excellent ground cover, thriving in sunny, dry conditions. The Beach Morning Glory is not only resilient but also a stunning addition to coastal gardens, offering vibrant blooms that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea quamoclit ‘Cardinal Climber’)
Cardinal Climber is a striking cultivar of Ipomoea quamoclit, known for its vibrant red, star-shaped flowers with a delicate white throat. This fast-growing vine combines beauty and elegance with its fine, feathery foliage and bold blooms. Perfect for trellises, fences, or garden arches, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its vibrant flowers attract hummingbirds, making it a lively and colorful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. The Cardinal Climber’s unique combination of graceful leaves and eye-catching blooms ensures it stands out in any outdoor setting.
Mina Lobata (Ipomoea lobata)
Native to Mexico, Mina Lobata is a striking vine known for its unique color-changing flowers. As the blooms mature, they transition from bright red to orange and finally to pale yellow, creating a dynamic display of hues on a single plant. This climber grows quickly and thrives in sunny locations, making it perfect for trellises, fences, or garden arches. Its vibrant flowers and lush green foliage make it a standout in ornamental gardens. Additionally, its ability to attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies, adds ecological value to any outdoor space.
Silverbush Morning Glory (Argyreia nervosa)
Originating from India, the Silverbush Morning Glory is a fast-growing vine admired for its large, silvery-green leaves and funnel-shaped flowers. The blooms, often pale purple with a darker throat, add a subtle elegance to gardens. This vigorous climber thrives in warm climates and sunny locations, making it ideal for covering fences, walls, or pergolas. Its striking foliage provides year-round interest, even when flowers are not in bloom. Silverbush Morning Glory is both ornamental and hardy, a perfect choice for gardeners seeking a combination of beauty and resilience.
Ipomoea cairica
Ipomoea cairica, native to Africa and Asia, is a vigorous vine prized for its star-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. Its lush foliage and rapid growth make it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or covering unsightly structures. This plant thrives in sunny, warm climates and requires minimal care, making it popular among gardeners. Its abundant flowers bloom profusely, creating a colorful and cheerful display. In addition to its beauty, Ipomoea cairica attracts pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of any garden.
Ipomoea indica
Native to Tropical Asia, Ipomoea indica is a perennial vine known for its vibrant blue, purple, or pink flowers. This plant is a fast and robust climber, perfect for decorating trellises, pergolas, or walls. Its flowers are large and trumpet-shaped, blooming throughout the growing season and adding a splash of vivid color to outdoor spaces. Thriving in full sun and warm climates, Ipomoea indica is easy to cultivate and highly adaptable. Its lush green foliage complements its striking blooms, making it a favorite among garden enthusiasts.
Ipomoea pandurata
A native of North America, Ipomoea pandurata is a vigorous vine characterized by its heart-shaped leaves and delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers. The blooms are typically white or pale pink, often with a darker pink or purple throat, adding subtle charm to gardens. This plant thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, making it suitable for various landscaping purposes. Its climbing nature allows it to cover fences or trellises quickly, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Ipomoea pandurata’s understated beauty and hardiness make it a versatile choice for gardeners.
Ipomoea hederacea
Also known as Ivy-leaved Morning Glory, Ipomoea hederacea is native to Tropical America and admired for its heart-shaped leaves resembling ivy. Its trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in shades of blue or purple, adding a classic charm to gardens. This fast-growing vine thrives in sunny locations and is perfect for trellises, fences, or arbors. Its delicate foliage and vibrant blooms make it a favorite for creating a lush, green canopy. Ipomoea hederacea is easy to cultivate, making it a versatile and appealing choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Ipomoea lacunosa
Ipomoea lacunosa, native to Tropical America, is a common wildflower often found in untamed areas. Known for its small, delicate white flowers and climbing habit, this species is both hardy and adaptable. While often considered a weed, its simple beauty can enhance naturalized landscapes. The plant thrives in sunny, warm climates and is often used to provide ground cover or climb over structures. Despite its modest appearance, Ipomoea lacunosa attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to the spaces it inhabits.
Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’
A striking cultivar of Ipomoea purpurea, ‘Grandpa Ott’ is cherished for its unique star-shaped flowers with ruffled edges. Blooming in deep purple with a vivid magenta star, these flowers create a dramatic display. The vine is fast-growing and thrives in sunny locations, making it ideal for covering trellises, fences, or walls. Easy to cultivate, ‘Grandpa Ott’ blooms profusely throughout the growing season, adding vibrant color to any garden. This heirloom variety is especially popular among gardeners seeking a touch of old-world charm.
Ipomoea purpurea ‘Crimson Rambler’
‘Crimson Rambler,’ a cultivar of Ipomoea purpurea, is known for its stunning crimson-red flowers that make a bold statement in any garden. The trumpet-shaped blooms stand out against the lush green foliage, creating a striking contrast. This vigorous climber grows quickly and is perfect for decorating fences, arbors, or garden walls. Thriving in sunny locations, ‘Crimson Rambler’ is easy to grow and maintain, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant, long-lasting color. Its flowers also attract pollinators, adding ecological benefits to its aesthetic appeal.
Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue Improved’
A refined variety of the classic Heavenly Blue, ‘Heavenly Blue Improved’ boasts larger, more vibrant flowers. This cultivar, a product of Ipomoea tricolor, is celebrated for its luminous sky-blue blooms with a pure white center. The vine grows vigorously and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for enhancing arbors, trellises, or fences. Its improved size and vibrancy make it a standout in ornamental gardens. With its stunning beauty and easy cultivation, ‘Heavenly Blue Improved’ remains a favorite among gardeners seeking an eye-catching addition to their outdoor spaces.
Ipomoea tricolor ‘Pearls and Petticoats’
A stunning cultivar of Ipomoea tricolor, ‘Pearls and Petticoats’ is renowned for its unique, ruffled flowers that showcase a harmonious blend of colors. The blooms often feature a mix of white, pink, and pale lavender, creating a soft yet striking display. This fast-growing vine thrives in sunny spots and well-drained soil, making it perfect for trellises, fences, or garden walls. Its elegant and whimsical flowers add a touch of romance to any outdoor setting, while its climbing habit ensures it quickly covers vertical spaces with beauty and grace.
Ipomoea batatas
Native to Tropical America, Ipomoea batatas is primarily cultivated for its edible tubers, commonly known as sweet potatoes. However, this versatile plant also produces attractive funnel-shaped flowers, usually in shades of pale pink or lavender with darker centers. Its lush, sprawling vines and heart-shaped leaves make it a popular choice for ornamental purposes in garden landscapes. Thriving in sunny and warm conditions, Ipomoea batatas is both functional and decorative, offering gardeners the dual benefit of beauty and a bountiful harvest.
Ipomoea quamoclit ‘Cyanotis’
A captivating cultivar of Ipomoea quamoclit, ‘Cyanotis’ is distinguished by its delicate, fern-like foliage and small, star-shaped blue flowers. This fast-growing vine thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, making it ideal for trellises, arbors, or fences. Its vibrant blue blooms stand out against the feathery green leaves, adding a unique and airy aesthetic to gardens. Perfect for wildlife-friendly spaces, ‘Cyanotis’ attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a lively addition to any outdoor setting.
Ipomoea lobata ‘Starfire’
‘Starfire,’ a compact cultivar of Ipomoea lobata, is prized for its vibrant, color-changing flowers. The blooms transition from fiery red to orange and finally to pale yellow, creating a dynamic and eye-catching display. This variety retains the lush, green foliage of its parent species while offering a more manageable size for smaller gardens or container planting. Thriving in sunny locations, ‘Starfire’ is perfect for trellises or garden fences, adding a pop of vivid color and visual interest. Its pollinator-friendly flowers make it both a practical and ornamental choice for gardeners.
