Morning glories are captivating plants known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that unfurl with the morning sun. While admired for their beauty and rapid growth, these vigorous vines can quickly become persistent weeds, aggressively colonizing gardens and landscapes. Their dual nature makes understanding their growth habits, particularly their root systems, important for both cultivation and control.
Morning Glory Root System
Morning glories possess a robust and pervasive root system, contributing significantly to their resilience and ability to spread. They typically develop a deep taproot, a single, thick primary root that grows straight down into the soil. This taproot is complemented by an extensive network of fibrous lateral roots and rhizomes that spread horizontally. These underground stems and roots allow the plant to establish quickly and access water and nutrients from a wide area. This aggressive structure makes morning glories difficult to remove, as any root fragments left in the soil can readily regrow into new plants.
Root Depth and Spread
The depth to which morning glory roots can penetrate the soil is a key factor in their persistence. While many garden varieties are annuals, some perennial species, such as field bindweed, can develop extremely deep roots, reaching depths of up to 15 feet, and sometimes even 20 feet. This deep penetration allows them to access water and nutrients far below the surface, making them remarkably drought-tolerant.
Several factors influence how deep morning glory roots will grow. Soil type plays a role, with loose, well-draining soils allowing for deeper root penetration. Moisture availability also affects depth; plants in drier conditions may extend their roots deeper in search of water. The age of the plant is another factor, as older, more established morning glories tend to have more developed and deeper root systems.
Beyond vertical depth, the lateral spread of morning glory roots and rhizomes is extensive. These horizontal underground structures can spread several feet in a single growing season, colonizing large areas, which further contributes to their invasive nature.
Managing Morning Glories
The extensive and deep root system of morning glories presents unique challenges for their management. Simply pulling the vines from the surface is often ineffective because the deep taproot and widespread rhizomes allow the plant to regenerate readily from any remaining root fragments. Effective control often requires a multi-pronged, long-term approach due to the roots’ ability to store energy and regenerate.
One strategy involves persistent manual removal, emphasizing the need to extract as much of the root system as possible. This is most effective for young plants or when the soil is soft and wet. For established infestations, smothering techniques using thick layers of cardboard, newspaper, or landscape fabric can suppress growth by blocking sunlight, though this may take a year or more to be fully effective. Herbicides specifically designed for deep-rooted weeds can be used, often applied when the plant is actively sending sugars to its roots, such as in early summer or late summer to early fall. Consistent vigilance and repeated efforts over several seasons are often necessary to effectively manage morning glory, as its robust root system makes it a formidable opponent in the garden.