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‘Grandpa Ott’ Morning Glory, an heirloom variety, is a warm weather annual vine offering early summer to early fall interest. Blooming continuously, with flowers open in the morning and closed in the afternoon, hence the name morning glory. ‘Grandpa Ott’ sets showy trumpet-shaped, 2- to 3-inch flowers that are an intense shade of royal purple with a ruby-red star and white throat. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.

‘Grandpa Ott’ Morning Glory Vine has a twining habit of broad, heart-shaped, emerald-green leaves and a fast growth rate, reaching 6 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide in a single season, with no pruning required. The vine climbs arbors, trellises, fences, and walls; blankets the garden floor as a groundcover; or cascades from containers and hanging baskets.

Low maintenance, ‘Grandpa Ott’ Morning Glory Vine prefers full sun and average, consistently moist, well-drained chalk, loam, or sandy soils that have an acid, alkaline, or neutral pH. Deer and pests tend to leave it alone, and it is virtually disease free.

Open pollinated, the plants produce seed that grows true to variety, ideal for seed saving. If allowed to go to seed, the seed heads freely self-seed, so consider planting in a naturalized area or removing flowers before they go to seed.

Direct sow after the danger of frost has passed or start morning glory seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Blooms appear much later if direct sown. Slightly chip or notch seed coat and soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting.

If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.