6 Best Morning Glory Vines For Full Sun Locations That Thrive in Summer Heat
Find the perfect morning glory for your sun-drenched garden. We list 6 heat-tolerant varieties known for their rapid growth and stunning summer blooms.
That south-facing wall on the barn bakes in the afternoon sun, and the wire fence along the pasture looks bare and utilitarian. You need something that can cover it fast, look good, and not shrivel up when the July heat really kicks in. This is where the right morning glory vine becomes your best friend, offering a fast-growing, beautiful screen that asks for very little in return.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Selecting Heat-Tolerant Morning Glory Vines
Most morning glories love the sun, but not all are created equal when it comes to relentless, all-day heat. The best performers are typically cultivars of Ipomoea purpurea or Ipomoea tricolor. These species are native to warmer climates and are genetically programmed to thrive when the temperatures soar.
When you’re choosing, look for varieties described as "vigorous" and "heat-loving." While delicate-looking flowers might seem fragile, many of the most resilient varieties produce stunning blooms. The key is the plant’s overall constitution, not the appearance of a single flower. Focus on proven heirlooms and well-known cultivars, as they have a track record of performance in real-world garden and farm settings.
Don’t overthink the soil. These vines are not heavy feeders and often perform best in average, well-draining soil. In fact, overly rich soil can be a problem, leading to a massive tangle of leaves with very few flowers. They prefer to be a little bit stressed, which encourages them to put their energy into producing those iconic blooms.
‘Heavenly Blue’: The Classic Sky-Blue Morning Glory
There’s a reason ‘Heavenly Blue’ (Ipomoea tricolor) is the morning glory everyone pictures. Its flowers are a pure, celestial blue with a soft yellow throat, unfolding each morning to greet the sun. This variety is an absolute workhorse, capable of covering a 15-foot trellis or fence in a single season.
In full, baking sun, ‘Heavenly Blue’ doesn’t just survive; it thrives. The intense light seems to deepen its color, creating a stunning visual against dark green, heart-shaped leaves. For a fast, reliable, and truly beautiful screen on a hot, sunny structure, you simply cannot go wrong with this classic. It sets the standard for performance.
‘Grandpa Ott’: A Rich, Deep Purple Heirloom Variety
‘Grandpa Ott’ (Ipomoea purpurea) is a beloved heirloom for its incredible color and resilience. The flowers are a deep, velvety royal purple, marked with a brilliant reddish-pink star in the center. This striking contrast makes it a standout from a distance.
Unlike some darker flowers that can look washed out or even scorch in intense sun, ‘Grandpa Ott’ holds its rich color exceptionally well. It’s a slightly more compact vine than ‘Heavenly Blue’ but is just as eager to climb. This variety is also a prolific self-seeder, so if you want a permanent patch that returns year after year with no effort, this is an excellent choice. Just be sure you plant it where you want it to stay.
‘Scarlett O’Hara’: A Dazzling Crimson Performer
For a bold splash of color, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ delivers. Its blooms are a vibrant, clear crimson-red with a white throat, creating a dramatic effect that commands attention. This variety is perfect for situations where you want a living wall of color that can be seen from across the yard or field.
‘Scarlett O’Hara’ is another member of the Ipomoea nil species, known for its heat tolerance. It blooms profusely from mid-summer until the first frost, unfazed by high temperatures. Pair it with a white-flowered variety for a stunning candy-cane effect on a trellis or archway.
‘Kniola’s Black’: A Unique, Near-Black Bloom
While not a true black, ‘Kniola’s Black’ is one of the darkest morning glories you can grow. The flowers are a deep, saturated purple-black with a contrasting pink throat, giving them a mysterious and sophisticated look. They are absolutely mesmerizing up close.
You might worry that such a dark flower would absorb too much heat and fade or burn in direct sun. However, ‘Kniola’s Black’ is surprisingly tough. The blooms hold their deep, moody color well, even in the hottest part of the day. It’s a fantastic choice for adding a touch of drama to a sunny spot.
‘Flying Saucers’: Striking Blue and White Variegation
‘Flying Saucers’ offers a playful and eye-catching alternative to solid-colored varieties. Each flower is a unique work of art, with streaks and sectors of sky blue and bright white on a large, open bloom. No two flowers are exactly alike, creating a dynamic, shimmering effect on the vine.
As a sport of ‘Heavenly Blue’, it shares the same robust, heat-loving genetics. It grows quickly and covers structures with the same vigor. If you love the performance of ‘Heavenly Blue’ but want something with a bit more visual flair, ‘Flying Saucers’ is an outstanding choice that handles summer heat with ease.
‘Split Second’: A Ruffled, Double-Flowered Pink Vine
If you think all morning glories look the same, ‘Split Second’ will change your mind. This unique variety features fully double, peony-like flowers in a soft, carnation pink. The ruffled, fluffy blooms are a complete departure from the classic trumpet shape.
Despite its delicate and intricate appearance, ‘Split Second’ is a tough and reliable vine. It thrives in the same hot, sunny conditions as its single-flowered cousins. It’s a fantastic choice for adding texture and a touch of romance to a cottage garden or a trellis near a seating area where its unique flowers can be appreciated up close.
Growing Tips for Thriving Morning Glory Vines
Getting morning glories to flourish is straightforward if you nail a few key steps. First, location is everything. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun. A spot that gets baked by the afternoon sun is perfect for these vines.
To ensure good germination, you need to break through the seed’s hard outer coat. You can do this by gently nicking the seed with a file or nail clippers, or by soaking the seeds in warm water overnight before planting. Plant them about a half-inch deep after all danger of frost has passed.
Provide support immediately. As soon as the first true leaves appear, the vines will send out tendrils looking for something to grab. A trellis, netting, fence, or even simple strings running up a wall will work perfectly. Without support, you’ll end up with a tangled mat on the ground.
Finally, be mindful of two things: water and fertilizer. Water them regularly to get them established, but once they’re growing strong, they are quite drought-tolerant. And go easy on the fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will give you a jungle of leaves and almost no flowers. A single application of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting time is usually more than enough. Be prepared for them to self-seed; if you don’t want them returning next year, be diligent about removing the seed pods before they mature and drop.
Choosing the right morning glory is less about finding one that can tolerate the heat and more about selecting one that will truly thrive in it. With their rapid growth and stunning daily flower show, these vines are one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to transform a sun-scorched problem area into a beautiful summer feature. Plant them once, give them something to climb, and they will handle the rest.
