The poor man's rose flower is the morning glory. Gardeners gave it this name because morning glories produce showy, colorful blooms from seeds that cost almost nothing. You get the beauty of a rose without the high price tag or the fussy care routine that roses demand. If you want a garden full of color, this is your cheapest path to get there.
This morning glory nickname goes back generations to a time when rose bushes cost a week's wages for working families. Morning glories grew wild along fences and porches. They gave color and beauty to homes that couldn't afford fancy rose gardens. You could grow them from a handful of saved seeds and have your porch looking great by July. The name stuck because it captures a simple truth. You don't need money to grow something beautiful in your yard.
I spent $1.50 on a seed packet of Heavenly Blue morning glories last spring. That single packet gave me enough seeds to cover a 10-foot trellis with blooms all summer. On the same trip to the garden center, I saw hybrid tea rose bushes selling for $25 to $40 each. Those roses would also need special soil, pruning shears, fungicide, and hours of care. My morning glories needed nothing but a string to climb and some water.
Morning glories earn the nickname in several ways beyond just the price. They bloom in a wide range of colors from deep blue to bright red to pure white. Each vine puts out dozens of new flowers every morning during peak season. The blooms open at dawn with a trumpet shape that looks just as elegant as any rose. And unlike roses, you don't need to worry about black spot, aphids, or winter pruning. Your only job is to point them toward something to climb and water them during dry spells.
The morning glory affordable garden approach works even better when you save your own seeds. Open-pollinated types like Grandpa Ott and Heavenly Blue produce seeds you can collect and store for next year. Wait until the seed pods turn brown and dry on the vine. Crack them open, pull out the dark seeds, and store them in a paper envelope over winter. You now have free seeds for life without ever buying another packet. Your morning glory affordable garden gets better each year as you build up your seed collection and share with friends.
I save seeds from my Grandpa Ott morning glories every fall and share them with neighbors. One packet from years ago has turned into enough seeds for my whole block. That's the kind of value no rose bush can match. You spend a couple bucks once and then never pay again. Your garden gets more colorful each year, and your neighbors get to enjoy the overflow too.
You can mix morning glory colors to create a display that rivals any rose garden in your area. Plant Heavenly Blue next to Grandpa Ott's deep purple and add some Scarlett O'Hara red. The mix of trumpet-shaped blooms along your fence will stop people on the sidewalk. I've had strangers knock on my door to ask what those gorgeous flowers are, and they can't believe the answer is a $1.50 seed packet.
Roses have their place in the garden, and I won't pretend they don't look great. But if you want fast color on a budget, morning glories win hands down. They grow from seed to full bloom in about three months. You don't need garden skills, special tools, or a big budget. Just plant the seeds, give them sun, and watch the poor man's rose do its thing along your fence or trellis all summer long.
Read the full article: Morning Glory Flower Guide
