Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Convolvulaceae
Botanical Name
Convolvulus sabatius
Plant Common Name
Blue Rock Bindweed, Ground Morning Glory
General Description
Beautiful purplish blue or pink morning glory flowers cover this trailing perennial subshrub in the heat of summer. Ground morning glory is native to the Mediterranean regions of North Africa and Italy where it naturally grows along rocky, limestone cliff faces and ground along the seaside. Its tough natural environment enables it to withstand difficult garden spots with hot sun, drought, wind, salt-spray and alkaline soils.
This low, ground-hugging plant is fully evergreen where hardy. Its small, oval leaves thickly line the stems and may be dark green or gray-green. The pretty funnel-shaped flowers typically begin blooming in early summer and may continue sporadically into fall. The blooms are relatively petite but colorful. Most wild-type plants have purplish blue flowers but pink and white cultivars are also available. Bees are the primary pollinators but butterflies may also visit. In fact, some Convolvulus are the food sources for the larvae of several butterfly species.
Though tolerant of a wide range of conditions, ground morning glory performs best in full sun and loose, gravelly soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. It is quite drought tolerant but prolonged dry weather will reduce flowering. This trailing, spreading plant is woody at the base and may require seasonal pruning. Trimming in late winter will help maintain a tidy habit and encourage fresh, non-woody growth.
Ground morning glory is a beautiful seaside groundcover. It also looks beautiful in front of dry, sunny borders or cascading from containers or retaining walls.
This species may also be listed under its old name, Convolvulus mauritanicus.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
6"-18" / 15.2cm - 45.7cm
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Width
20"-36" / 50.8cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Blue, Purple, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
