Morning glories are popular, fast-growing vines celebrated for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that unfurl with the morning sun. These charming climbers can quickly cover fences, trellises, or arbors, adding a touch of old-fashioned beauty to gardens. Their rapid growth and abundant blooms make them a favored choice for gardeners seeking to add vertical interest and color.
Understanding Morning Glory Light Needs
Morning glories thrive in locations that receive ample sunlight, requiring a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun daily for optimal growth and prolific flowering. This extensive sun exposure is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into the chemical energy needed for growth and bloom production. A “full sun” location typically means an area that receives direct, unfiltered sunlight for most of the day, particularly during the morning hours. Morning sun is particularly beneficial, as the cooler, less intense rays support healthy plant development.
Impact of Shade on Morning Glories
Morning glories’ performance is significantly compromised by shade. In partial shade, meaning three to six hours of sunlight, flowering will likely be reduced. Deep or full shade, with very limited direct light, severely inhibits their growth and bloom production.
Insufficient light causes morning glory vines to become elongated and leggy as they stretch to find more sun. This results in sparse foliage and weaker stems. Blooms may be fewer, smaller, and less vibrant, or in deep shade, the plant may not produce any flowers at all. Plants growing in shaded conditions can also become more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Growing Morning Glories in Less-Than-Ideal Light
Gardeners cultivating morning glories in partial or dappled shade can take steps to mitigate the negative effects of reduced light. Good soil drainage is important, as morning glories prefer moderately fertile, well-draining soil and can suffer from root rot in waterlogged conditions, especially in shadier spots where soil dries slower. While somewhat drought-tolerant once established, consistent moisture is beneficial; water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering.
Providing a sturdy support structure like a trellis, arbor, or fence is important, as morning glories are natural climbers and will twine around supports. A tall support, ideally 6 to 10 feet high, allows the vines plenty of room to grow and helps them reach for available light. Gently training the vines onto the support as they grow can maximize their exposure to any available sunlight.
Alternatives for Shady Spots
For garden areas that are too shady for morning glories to thrive, several other climbing plants offer similar aesthetic appeal and are better suited to low-light conditions. Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) are good choices for shade, producing lush green leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer. These woody vines can cling to walls and trees, providing a robust, long-term solution for shaded vertical spaces.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) is another option, known for its sweet fragrance and ability to tolerate partial shade. Varieties like Lonicera periclymenum offer colorful blooms and can be trained on supports. Clematis (Clematis spp.), particularly certain large-flowered hybrids and species like Clematis montana or Clematis alpina, can also perform well in partial or dappled shade, producing a range of vibrant blooms.