Asagao Varieties: 10 Striking Morning Glories to Plant This Season
Morning glories—known as “asagao” in Japanese—are fast-growing, vining flowers prized for their trumpet-shaped blooms and ease of care. Below are 10 striking asagao varieties that offer a mix of colors, forms, and growth habits to brighten fences, trellises, and containers this season. Each entry includes a quick care note so you can choose the best fits for your garden.
| Variety | Description | Flower Color(s) | Growth Habit | Quick Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Blue (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’) | Classic, large open trumpets with strong vigor and repeat flowering. | Vivid sky-blue with a white throat | Rapid climber to 10–15 ft | Full sun, well-drained soil; deadhead for more blooms. |
| Grandpa Ott’s (Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’) | Traditional heirloom with robust growth and reliably large flowers. | Deep purple to blue | Vigorous twiner to 10 ft | Start seeds warm or pre-soak; tolerates average soil. |
| Scarlet O’Hara (Ipomoea coccinea hybrid) | Shows off bright, saturated scarlet-red blooms—an eye-catching contrast to greens. | Intense scarlet-red | Compact climber to 6–8 ft | Prefers full sun; good for smaller trellises or containers. |
| Pearly Gates (Ipomoea nil ‘Pearly Gates’) | Delicate, near-white blossoms ideal for moon gardens or cool palettes. | Creamy white with subtle veins | Moderate climber to 8–10 ft | Thrives in full sun; protects blooms from strong afternoon heat. |
| Lavender Sky (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Lavender Sky’) | Soft, romantic lavender-lilac trumpets for a gentle color scheme. | Pale lavender with white throat | Moderate climber to 8–12 ft | Likes consistent moisture and fertile soil. |
| Bronze Leaf (Ipomoea purpurea ‘Bronze Leaf’) | Striking foliage with deep bronze leaves that make blooms pop. | Purple or pink flowers depending on cross | Vigorous climber to 12 ft | Use as accent foliage; full sun enhances leaf color. |
| Nozomi (Ipomoea nil ‘Nozomi’) | Popular Japanese cultivar with patterned petals—often bi- or tri-colored. | Mixed: white, pink, magenta patterns | Moderate climber to 8–10 ft | Prefers morning sun; revered in traditional asagao shows. |
| Flying Saucer (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Flying Saucer’) | Unusual, wide-faced blooms with bold central throats. | Bright blue with white centers | Rapid climber to 10–15 ft | Excellent for dramatic vertical displays. |
| Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea x multifida) | Distinctive star-shaped flowers and finely cut foliage for a different texture. | Fiery red | Compact, twining to 6–8 ft | Tolerant of heat; great for small trellises and containers. |
| Heavenly White Eye (Ipomoea tricolor ‘White Eye’) | Crisp white petals with a prominent contrasting eye—classic and clean. | White petals with blue/purple eye | Moderate climber to 8–12 ft | Ideal for mixed-plantings and formal borders. |
Planting and care basics
- Site: Full sun for best flowering; a bit of morning sun preference for some Japanese varieties.
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Improve heavy soils with compost.
- Seeding: Scarify or soak seeds 8–12 hours before sowing to improve germination. Start indoors 2–4 weeks before last frost or sow directly after danger of frost.
- Watering: Keep evenly moist until established; once mature, many tolerate short dry spells but perform best with regular watering.
- Support: Provide trellis, arch, or fence; most varieties are vigorous climbers—train vines early.
- Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; trim to control spread. Watch for pests like aphids and fungal issues in humid conditions.
Design ideas
- Pair blue varieties (Heavenly Blue, Flying Saucer) with white roses or salvias for cool-toned borders.
- Use Bronze Leaf asagao at the back of containers to provide foliage contrast.
- Create a moon garden with Pearly Gates and Heavenly White Eye for evening visibility.
- Mix compact red varieties (Scarlet O’Hara, Cardinal Climber) with yellow marigolds for high-contrast edging.
Plant one or a combination of these asagao varieties this season to add fast, spectacular color and vertical interest.
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