How to Grow Ipomoea
'Star of Yelta' from Seed
A morning glory in deep royal violet with a crimson star radiating from a white throat. Fresh flowers every morning on a climber that covers a trellis in one summer.
Morning glory earns its name. Each flower opens at first light, holds its colour through the morning and is finished by the afternoon, replaced the next day by a dozen more. 'Star of Yelta' is a deep royal violet with a crimson star running out from a white throat, the darkest and best of the purple forms.
Grown up canes, wire or a trellis, it will climb two to three metres in a good summer and cover the lot. It works just as well in a large pot with a wigwam. It is tender and dislikes cold roots, so the key to success is a warm start and patience before planting out.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-hardy annual climber
Sowing Time
Mar to Apr, under cover
Flowering
July to September
Position
Full sun, warm and sheltered
Height
2 to 3m
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Star of Yelta' is a variety of Ipomoea purpurea, the common morning glory, a twining climber from Central America. It winds its stems around anything thin enough to grip, and grows fast once the weather is warm.
All parts of morning glory, especially the seeds, are toxic if eaten. Store seed safely and keep plants away from children and pets who might chew them.
Soak the seed first
The seed has a hard coat. Soak it in lukewarm water overnight before sowing, and it will germinate faster and more evenly. Sow any seeds that have swollen; nick the coat of any that haven't with a nail file and soak again.
When & How to Sow
Sow indoors in March or April. Morning glory dislikes root disturbance, so sow straight into individual pots.
Don't rush them outside
Cold nights check young plants badly, turning leaves yellow and stopping growth for weeks. Wait until nights are reliably mild, usually late May or June, before planting out.
Soak, then sow 1cm deep. After soaking overnight, sow two seeds per 9cm pot and keep at around 20 to 25°C. Seedlings appear in one to two weeks.
Give them something to climb. Push a short cane into each pot as seedlings grow, and keep them warm and bright.
Plant out when warm. Harden off gradually and plant out from late May to June, 30cm apart at the base of a trellis, wire or wigwam, without disturbing the roots.
Growing On Tips
Warm, sunny wall
A south or west-facing wall or fence gives the heat morning glory needs.
Thin supports
Stems twine around wire, string and thin canes more easily than thick posts.
Regular watering
Water well in dry spells, especially in pots. Avoid rich feeding, which gives leaves over flowers.
In pots
A 30cm pot with a wigwam of canes works well and can be moved into the sunniest spot.
Morning flowers
Plant where you will see it in the morning, by a kitchen window or breakfast table.
Handle with care
Keep seeds and plants away from children and pets.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Slow or patchy germination | Hard seed coat not softened | Soak seed overnight and nick any that don't swell. |
| Yellow leaves after planting out | Cold nights or cold soil | Wait until June in cool areas. Plants usually recover as it warms. |
| Lots of leaves, few flowers | Too much feeding or shade | Stop feeding and grow in full sun. |
| Flowers closed by afternoon | Normal for morning glory | Each flower lasts a morning. New ones open every day. |
| Red spider mite on leaves | Hot, dry conditions under cover | Mist young plants and keep them well watered. |
When to Expect Flowers
Plants sown in spring and planted out in early summer usually flower from July until the first cold nights of September.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow under cover | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
Violet morning glory for a sunny wall
Soak the seed, sow it warm and plant out once nights are mild. From July you will have fresh violet stars opening every morning.
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