Morning glories are a beloved garden classic, known for their fast-growing vines, trumpet-shaped flowers, and ability to transform ordinary fences, trellises, and arbors into vibrant vertical displays. With their blooms opening each morning and fading by afternoon, they bring a dynamic beauty to the garden that’s both whimsical and lively. Available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and shapes, here are 10 stunning morning glory varieties perfect for adding a burst of charm to any vertical surface in your garden.
1. Heavenly Blue (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’)
This iconic variety is known for its stunning sky-blue blooms and white throats, offering a calm, celestial beauty that makes any trellis stand out. The flowers can grow up to 4 inches wide and bloom prolifically from summer through fall. The vines reach up to 10–12 feet in height and love full sun and well-draining soil. Heavenly Blue is ideal for cottage-style gardens and pergolas, and it pairs wonderfully with white or pastel companion flowers for a soft, romantic feel.
2. Grandpa Ott’s (Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’s’)
A treasured heirloom, Grandpa Ott’s features deep purple blooms with bright magenta centers that create a dramatic contrast against green foliage. It’s known for self-seeding easily, making it a great low-maintenance option for long-term vertical displays. The vines grow vigorously up to 12 feet or more, covering fences and arbors in no time. Its rich, bold color adds a touch of vintage charm and is particularly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
3. Scarlett O’Hara (Ipomoea nil ‘Scarlett O’Hara’)
With its fiery red petals and white centers, Scarlett O’Hara adds bold energy to any trellis or garden wall. This vigorous climber reaches up to 10 feet and thrives in full sun. The vibrant, crimson blooms open each morning, creating a dazzling contrast with surrounding greenery. Perfect for sunny garden spaces, it’s also a great companion plant with white or blue morning glories for a patriotic or high-contrast display. It’s especially popular with pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
4. Milky Way (Ipomoea nil ‘Milky Way’)
Milky Way brings a magical quality to trellises and fences with its delicate white blooms streaked with violet-purple veins. Each flower appears as if it’s been hand-painted, adding unique detail to your vertical space. The vines climb up to 10 feet, making it ideal for smaller garden walls or arches. This variety thrives in warm climates and begins blooming mid-summer. It’s a wonderful option for those looking to create a soft, whimsical garden atmosphere.
5. Flying Saucers (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Flying Saucers’)
Named for their swirling, marbled pattern of sky blue and white, Flying Saucers offer large blooms that can reach 5 inches across. These vines grow rapidly to 12 feet or more, making them a top pick for full fence coverage or pergola dressing. Their silvery sheen adds a unique dimension in bright light, and they mix well with solid-colored morning glories. Flying Saucers are sure to draw attention with their cosmic look and generous flowering.
6. Pearly Gates (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Pearly Gates’)
For a more refined and peaceful display, Pearly Gates features luminous white blooms that seem to glow in the morning sun. This variety is perfect for weddings, moon gardens, or minimalist landscapes. The 3–4 inch trumpet-shaped flowers offer a clean, fresh contrast when grown alongside colorful varieties. Its vines climb up to 10–12 feet, and its elegant appearance makes it a favorite for vertical accents in formal gardens.
7. Sunrise Serenade (Ipomoea nil ‘Sunrise Serenade’)
Unlike most morning glories, Sunrise Serenade features fully double, ruffled blooms in a rich cherry red. Its rose-like petals bring added volume and texture to arbors and trellises, offering a garden look that’s both romantic and striking. Reaching about 8–10 feet in height, this variety performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. Ideal for gardeners looking for a more unique and layered appearance, Sunrise Serenade is both rare and stunning.
8. Blue Star (Ipomoea nil ‘Blue Star’)
Blue Star morning glories are instantly recognizable for their light blue petals adorned with a bold white star pattern radiating from the center. These eye-catching flowers grow on vines that reach up to 10 feet tall and make a fantastic focal point when used alone or mixed into a multi-color trellis. Blue Star blooms are especially impactful when planted en masse along fences, where their vibrant patterns create a dazzling display of symmetry and color.
9. Crimson Rambler (Ipomoea purpurea ‘Crimson Rambler’)
This heirloom variety is cherished for its rich crimson-red blooms and prolific flowering. Crimson Rambler can easily climb up to 12 feet and is perfect for large trellises or chain-link fences. Its deep color adds a sense of elegance and depth, making it a lovely backdrop to pale or pastel blooms. Easy to grow and vigorous, this variety is well-suited for both modern and traditional garden designs that aim for bold color impact.
10. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Technically a cousin to morning glories, Moonflower deserves a place on this list for its stunning nighttime performance. These white, fragrant, 6-inch-wide blooms open at dusk and stay open through the evening, making them the perfect complement to morning glories that bloom by day. Their lush vines can grow up to 15 feet in one season and are ideal for adding beauty and fragrance to patios, pergolas, or evening garden spaces. Plant Moonflowers near your seating areas to enjoy their scent and serenity at night.
Final Thoughts
With their fast-growing vines and spectacular blooms, morning glories are an excellent choice for dressing up fences, trellises, and other vertical features in your garden. Whether you want the classic charm of Heavenly Blue, the bold drama of Scarlett O’Hara, or the evening elegance of Moonflower, these ten varieties offer plenty of personality and color. Mix them together or let one variety shine — either way, your garden will come alive with movement, texture, and the magic of morning blooms.
