How to Grow Bellona
Wikimedia Commons
Bellona
Ipomoea nil 'Bellona'
vineBellona is a stunning cultivar of Japanese morning glory featuring large, deep purple-blue flowers with white or pale centers and prominent white stamens. This vigorous annual vine climbs 8-10 feet in a single season, making it ideal for trellises, arbors, and garden screens. The heart-shaped foliage provides attractive cover while the flowers bloom profusely from mid-summer through fall.
When should you plant Bellona in your zone?
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Example Bellona timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bellona
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bellona
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bellona dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3b-11b; best results in zones 5-9
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Get my Bellona timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate in 7-14 days when kept warm (70-75°F). Seedlings develop heart-shaped cotyledons and their first true leaves.
Provide bright indirect light; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; thin to strongest seedling if overcrowded; scarify seed coat or soak overnight to improve germination
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksYoung vines develop multiple stems with heart-shaped leaves; plant reaches 2-3 feet tall with vigorous climbing growth.
Install support structure early; provide consistent moisture; maintain moderate soil fertility; train vines onto support as they grow; pinch tips if excessive leafiness and minimal flowering
Flowering Initiation
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear in leaf axils; buds gradually develop and are ready to open, typically appearing in clusters.
Maintain consistent moisture during bud development; ensure adequate sunlight; reduce nitrogen if too much foliage present; apply balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer to encourage flowering
Peak Flowering
8-12 weeks or until first frostLarge, vibrant purple-blue flowers with white centers open each morning and close by afternoon; flowers are abundant and cover much of the foliage.
Maintain consistent watering schedule; deadhead spent flowers (though not necessary) to encourage more blooms; watch for spider mites in hot, dry conditions; enjoy continuous blooms until first frost
Seed Production & Decline
Until first frost (variable by location)After flowers are pollinated, seed pods develop; foliage and flowering slow as temperatures drop in fall; vine dies at first frost.
Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want self-sowing next year or to collect seed; remove dead foliage as needed; pull entire plant after frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; reflective mulches can help prevent infestations
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; attract ladybugs and parasitic wasps with flowering plants
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Hand-pick in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from plants; apply neem oil; encourage natural predators
Uses
Garden screening and vertical cover
HouseholdBellona's vigorous growth and dense foliage makes it excellent for creating privacy screens on trellises, arbors, and fences. The beautiful flowers add ornamental value while providing practical coverage for unsightly structures. [source]
Cut flowers and fresh arrangements
CraftThough flowers close by afternoon, morning-harvested blooms can be used in fresh arrangements. The striking purple-blue color and unique form make them memorable in floral displays. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting pollinator populations in the garden. Bellona serves as a nectar source during the critical late-summer and fall season. [source]
Arbor and pergola decoration
HouseholdPerfect for creating flowering archways and pergola coverage with morning blooms providing daily visual interest. The rapid growth makes it ideal for creating immediate garden structure definition. [source]
Harvest Tips
Bellona is grown for ornamental flowers, not harvest. Allow flowers to bloom and enjoy throughout the season. If saving seeds, allow some flowers to set seed pods; collect brown, papery seed pods in fall and dry completely before extracting seeds. Store seeds in cool, dry conditions for up to 2-3 years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bellona flowers open in the early morning (hence the common name 'morning glory') and close by afternoon, with fresh flowers appearing daily throughout the blooming season.
- 🌱 Japanese morning glories (Ipomoea nil) have been cultivated in Japan for over 400 years and are featured prominently in traditional Japanese gardens and art.
- 🌱 The seeds contain compounds that have been historically used in traditional medicine, though they should never be ingested as they can be toxic in large quantities.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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