The Blue Picotee Morning Glory is a distinctive choice for gardeners seeking vibrant color and charm. Its striking blue petals, edged with a crisp white border, create a visually appealing contrast. This flowering vine is known for its vigorous growth and abundant blooms, making it a popular option for covering structures or adding vertical interest. It transforms a garden with its daily display of fresh flowers.
Understanding Blue Picotee Morning Glory
The Blue Picotee Morning Glory is a specific cultivar, Ipomoea nil ‘Blue Picotee’. Its trumpet-shaped flowers measure around 5 inches in diameter, featuring deep blue inner petals that radiate to a distinct white or pale edge, sometimes with a subtle purple star pattern near the center. This annual vine exhibits rapid growth, extending its slender stems up to 10 to 15 feet in a single growing season. The plant uses its twining stems to climb, naturally seeking support from nearby structures.
Blue Picotee Morning Glories bloom throughout the summer and into the fall. A characteristic trait is their daily bloom cycle; individual flowers open in the morning with the rising sun and close by the afternoon or as direct sunlight intensifies. This daily cycle offers a fresh spectacle.
Planting Blue Picotee Morning Glory
Plant Blue Picotee Morning Glory seeds after the last spring frost, ideally when ground temperature reaches 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a site that receives full sun exposure for at least six to eight hours daily, as ample sunlight encourages more prolific blooming. While morning glories can tolerate partial shade, a sunnier location yields the most vibrant floral display.
The plant thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile soil, ranging from average to sandy, with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Avoid overly rich soil, which can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production. Before sowing, scarify seeds by lightly nicking or rubbing the hard outer shell with sandpaper, then soak them in warm water for 24 hours to promote germination. Sow pre-treated seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, spacing them approximately 6 to 8 seeds per foot if planting in a row. Provide vertical support structures like trellises, fences, or arbors at planting, as the vines are vigorous climbers.
Caring for Blue Picotee Morning Glory
Once established, Blue Picotee Morning Glories require consistent watering, especially during dry periods. Ensure the soil remains moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root issues. After germination, watering frequency can be reduced, as mature plants demonstrate some drought tolerance.
A light feeding with a low-nitrogen fertilizer every four to five weeks throughout the growing season can support healthy growth. If the plant shows a lack of blooms, switching to a fertilizer blend higher in phosphorus may encourage more flowers. Over-fertilization, especially with high-nitrogen formulas, can result in abundant leafy growth but fewer flowers. Removing spent blooms (deadheading) can encourage more flowers throughout the season and helps manage self-seeding. As the vines grow, gently guide them towards their intended support structure to ensure effective climbing.
Important Considerations
Blue Picotee Morning Glory has a vigorous self-seeding habit, which can lead to extensive spreading in favorable climates. In some regions, its rapid growth and ability to smother other plants have led to it being considered an invasive species. To manage its spread, deadhead spent flowers before they form seeds, or grow the plant in containers to restrict its growth.
Like many plants, Blue Picotee Morning Glories can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, which can be managed by spraying them off with water, using a mild insecticide, or encouraging natural predators. Fungal diseases such as Fusarium wilt, leaf spot, and rust can also affect these vines. Ensuring good air circulation, promptly removing dead or diseased foliage, and maintaining well-drained soil can help prevent these issues.
The seeds of morning glories are highly toxic if ingested by humans or pets, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, and restlessness. Contact with the plant may also cause skin irritation, so wear gloves when handling.