The best place to plant morning glories is a full-sun spot next to a vertical support like a fence, trellis, or arbor. These vines need direct sunlight and something to climb right from the start. Without both of these things, your morning glories will produce lots of leaves but very few flowers.
I tested three spots in my garden over one summer to find the perfect morning glory planting location. The south-facing fence got blooms by early July. The east-facing wall produced flowers about two weeks later. The patch in partial shade under my oak tree made tons of green growth but gave me almost zero flowers all season. That test showed me just how much sunlight matters for these vines.
The morning glory sun requirements will guide you to the right spot in your yard. These vines need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to trigger flower bud formation. Anything less and the plant puts all its energy into growing leaves and stems instead. South-facing walls and fences work best in most yards because they get the longest stretch of unbroken sun throughout the day.
Your soil doesn't need to be rich or fancy for morning glories. They grow well in average, well-drained soil and can handle poor ground that other flowers reject. Wait until your soil temperature hits at least 65°F (18°C) before you plant seeds outdoors. Morning glories grow in USDA zones 2a through 11b, so gardeners across most of the country can grow them without trouble. You don't need fancy amendments or fertilizer. In fact, rich soil often gives you more leaves and fewer flowers, so average ground works best.
Keep your morning glories at least 3 feet away from vegetable gardens and other plants you care about. These vines grow fast and will wrap around anything nearby. I made the mistake of planting them next to my tomato cage one year. The morning glory vines choked out the tomato plant within a month. Your veggies can't compete with a vine that grows up to 15 feet in a single season.
Pick a spot where you can install a trellis, string, or wire for the vines to grab onto. Morning glories climb by twining their stems around thin supports. Thick posts or flat walls won't work on their own. You can tie some garden twine to a porch rail or set up a simple string trellis between two stakes. Give them something to grip and they will climb 6 to 10 feet high by midsummer. You can also run fishing line or thin wire along a blank wall to create a cheap support system that works great.
You should also think about wind when you choose your spot. Strong gusts can rip the vines off thin supports and damage the flowers before they even open. A fence or wall that blocks wind from one side gives your vines a much better chance. My morning glories on the sheltered side of the house always outperform the ones on the exposed side by a wide margin.
Don't stress too much about getting everything perfect before you plant. Morning glories are forgiving vines that bounce back from most mistakes. If your first spot doesn't work, you can always move them next season since they grow from seed each year. Find the sunniest fence or trellis you have, make sure the soil drains well, and plant your seeds after the ground warms up. You will enjoy fresh blooms every morning from July until frost ends the show. Your yard will look better for it, and you will wonder why you didn't plant them sooner.
Read the full article: Morning Glory Flower Guide
