Heavenly Blue
Ipomoea tricolor
Fast-growing climber. 4-5" trumpet-shaped flowers are vibrant sky blue with creamy white throats. Lovely heart-shaped foliage and fast-growing vines are excellent for arbors, trellises, or as a ground cover. Easy-to-grow heirloom variety. Flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. Morning glory requires short days and long nights to trigger flowering. Vigorous plants put on lots of growth through the spring and summer and begin blooming in midsummer, producing continuously through early fall. NOTE: plants grow vigorously and have the potential to reseed.
Harvest
110-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–12
USDA hardiness
Height
8-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Heavenly Blue in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 vine →Zone Map
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Heavenly Blue · Zones 2–12
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet, 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Blue Star' 'Crimson Rambler' 'Heavenly Blue'azure blue trumpet-shaped flowers with white and yellow throats 'Heavenly Blue Improved', 'Blue Star', 'Crimson Rambler', 'Heavenly Blue', 'Heavenly Blue Improved'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is a dehiscent dry capsule. The small, black seeds are poisonous. To plant the seeds, nick the hard seed coat and soak overnight.
Type: Capsule.
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Heat, Poor Soil, Urban Conditions
- +Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Attracts beneficial insects and acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and various garden pests while attracting pollinators
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover
Cosmos
Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators without competing for space
Zinnias
Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing complementary colors
Sunflowers
Provides sturdy support structure and attracts beneficial insects
Bean Plants
Morning glories can use bean poles for support while beans fix nitrogen in soil
Sweet Peas
Similar growing habits and both attract beneficial pollinators
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produces juglone which is toxic to morning glories and inhibits growth
Allelopathic Grasses
Compete aggressively for nutrients and may release growth-inhibiting chemicals
Dense Shrubs
Create too much shade and compete for nutrients, reducing flowering
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease-free, very hardy annual
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, leaf miners (rarely serious)
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soils, generally disease-free