The morning glory flower unfurls with sunrise and creates a breathtaking display of hues that defy the early morning shadows. It carries not just the beauty of dawn but also a rich symbolism that transcends cultures and spans centuries.
Planning to give away these lovely blooms? First, we will reveal everything you need to know about their meaning, cultural significance, and practical uses!
How did the morning glory flower get its name?
The morning glory flower earned its name as a testament to its enchanting ritua—the unfolding of its beautiful, delicate petals at the break of dawn.
They also delicately close about two hours before sunset.
What are the botanical origins of the morning glory flower?
The morning glory flowers can be perennial or annual plants, and they come from the Convolvulaceae family. There are many varieties of this flower but the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea, is native to the Americas.
They are characterized by thick roots and grow in dense thickets. They grow in long, creeping stems that allow them to spread rapidly and crowd out other plants.
Do morning glory flowers require a lot of maintenance?
Morning glory flowers are low-maintenance plants. No pruning or deadheading is required for their growth.
Do morning glory flowers need shade or sun?
Morning glory flowers thrive in areas where they can receive abundant sunlight. They only unfurl when bathed in direct sunlight, ideally ranging from 6 to 8 hours each day.
If they are planted in a location that only receives sunlight in the afternoon, you might not see the usual “morning” glories.
When do morning glory flowers bloom?
Morning glory flowers bloom from the early months of summer until early fall.
What kind of soil do morning glory flowers prefer?
Morning glory flowers thrive in soil that’s moist and well-draining. While they are adaptable and can grow in various conditions, the ideal soil pH for morning glories falls between 6.0 to 6.8.
They can flourish in different soil types, but they tend to bloom more vibrantly in soil that isn’t overly rich in organic matter.
When is the best time to plant morning glory flower seeds?
The best time to plant morning glory flower seeds is in early spring.
Sow them in a warm, well-lit indoor space or a heated greenhouse.
As the young plants develop, acclimate them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden in early summer.
Provide them with a suitable support structure for these vines to climb on to ensure a successful and visually captivating display as they mature. This careful preparation prepares the flourishing beauty of morning glory flowers in your outdoor space.
What do morning glory flowers mean?
Morning glory flowers have a special meaning, especially when it comes to love. They represent both unrequited and eternal love.
Beyond just matters of the heart, these flowers symbolize things like starting anew, being strong and bouncing back, and the connection between life and love.
Morning glory is also one of the official birth flowers of September along with aster.
What do the colors of morning glory flowers mean?
Purple
The purple morning glory exudes elegance, beauty, nobility, and royalty. It symbolizes grace, wealth, and hopefulness
Recommended use: Gifting a purple morning glory flower is a fitting choice for occasions that celebrate achievements such as graduations or promotions.
White
Symbolizing purity and innocence, the white morning glory symbolizes peace, sincerity, humility, purity, and innocence.
Recommended use: A white morning glory flower is an ideal choice for events like graduations or job promotions.
It’s also a comforting and supportive gift during challenging times to offer encouragement.
Blue
The blue morning glory flower is a symbol of deep emotions, infinite love, trust, respect, and honesty. It also represents enduring love, desire, and power.
This serene hue of morning glory conveys calmness, loyalty, and faithfulness.
Recommended use: This flower can be given as a thoughtful present during special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries when you want to express deep appreciation for someone’s character and virtues.
Pink
The pink morning glory embodies love, romance, gentleness, thoughtfulness, gratitude, and energy.
Recommended use: Gifting a pink morning glory is a fitting gesture to express gratitude during Thanksgiving and friendship celebrations or simply to brighten someone’s day.
Red
Drenched in passion and strength, the red morning glory is symbolic of a strong heart and intense emotions.
Recommended use: As the color of love, passion, and fiery intensity, a red morning glory flower is the perfect choice for romantic occasions or for expressing love and emotions to a significant other.
What did morning glory flowers symbolize in various historical periods?
What are the cultural associations of morning glory flowers?
What are the spiritual or religious meanings of morning glory flowers?
What are the uses of morning glory flowers?
Morning glories are beautiful and meaningful flowers that can also be used in cooking, medicine, gardening, and landscaping.
How can morning glory flowers be used in cooking?
Here are some ways to use morning glory flowers in your cooking:
- Raw in salads: The fresh, tender morning glory shoots are perfect for green salads for a crisp texture and a mild, refreshing taste. Their vibrant colors also add an appealing visual element to your salads.
- Garnish: Morning glory flowers can be used as an elegant garnish for a variety of dishes to enhance both the visual and culinary appeal of your creations.
Their delicate appearance makes them a charming addition to salads, entrees, or even desserts.
- Cooked leaves and stems: Larger morning glory leaves are best cooked before consumption. You may do this by boiling, steaming, or sautéing them in oil.
Add them to stir-fries, stews, or curries for a unique and nutritious twist.
Can morning glory flowers be used for medicinal purposes?
Yes, morning glory flowers were traditionally used in medicine to help with health concerns such as constipation and skin irritation. They were also used to help reduce pain, like headaches or muscle aches.
While morning glory flowers have been historically used for medicinal purposes, it’s best to a doctor before using them as medicine.
How can morning glory flowers be used in gardening and landscaping?
Here’s how you can use morning glory flowers to beautify your garden and landscape:
- Vertical Gardening: Morning glory flowers are excellent climbers which makes them ideal for vertical gardening. They can elegantly ascend trellises, arches, or pergolas to add height and visual interest to garden spaces.
- Hanging Baskets: With their trailing habits, morning glory vines can enhance the beauty of hanging baskets. Their cascading growth creates a picturesque display, making hanging baskets vibrant focal points in any garden or landscape.
- Fence Adornments: Morning glory flowers can transform ordinary fences into vibrant floral ones. Their climbing nature allows them to gracefully wind around fence structures to add color and charm to outdoor boundaries.
- Garden Borders: Planting morning glory flowers along garden borders creates a burst of color, delineating and defining outdoor spaces.
The flowers contribute to a lively and enchanting atmosphere and enhance the overall aesthetics of garden borders.
- Pollinator Attraction: Morning glory flowers are known to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Including them in your garden can contribute to a healthier ecosystem by supporting pollination.
