How to Grow Palace Blue Morning Glory
Wikimedia Commons
Palace Blue Morning Glory
Ipomoea nil 'Palace Blue'
vinePalace Blue is a stunning cultivar of morning glory featuring deep blue flowers with a contrasting white throat. This vigorous climbing vine produces heart-shaped leaves and blooms prolifically throughout the growing season. It's an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, and garden structures, attracting pollinators while providing quick summer coverage.
When should you plant Palace Blue Morning Glory in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Palace Blue Morning Glory timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Palace Blue Morning Glory
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Palace Blue Morning Glory
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Palace Blue Morning Glory dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives as an annual in zones 3-10; perennial in zones 9-11
Sign up free to see if Palace Blue Morning Glory grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Palace Blue Morning Glory timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall sprouts with two cotyledons emerge from soil, developing first true leaves within 1-2 weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination. Nick seed coat gently with a file for faster sprouting.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksVine rapidly develops heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems. Plant extends along support structure but has not yet flowered.
Guide vines along trellis or support as they grow. Pinch growing tips early to encourage bushier branching. Provide climbing support. Reduce nitrogen fertilization to promote flowering.
Budding & Flowering
6-10 weeksFlower buds form at leaf axils, developing into deep blue flowers with white throats. Blooms open in early morning and typically close by afternoon.
Maintain consistent watering without overwatering. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Apply balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer. Ensure adequate light for maximum flower production.
Peak Bloom & Seed Production
4-8 weeksPlant produces abundant blue flowers throughout the season. If flowers are not deadheaded, seed pods develop behind spent flowers.
Continue regular watering and light feeding. Deadhead to extend blooming period, or allow some flowers to remain for seed collection. Monitor for pest damage.
Maturation & End of Season
Variable with climateFlowering slows as temperatures cool in fall. Plants may decline with first frost in cooler zones.
Collect seeds before the first freeze if desired. Allow some flowers to develop mature seed pods for self-sowing next year (in mild climates). Cut back vines after frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Increase humidity around plants.
-
Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil, or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
-
Hand-pick beetles in early morning, use pheromone traps away from vines, or apply spinosad.
-
Spray with strong water stream, use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or introduce ladybugs.
-
Handpick larger caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), or neem oil for infestations.
Uses
Garden Decoration & Screening
OrnamentalPalace Blue's vibrant blue flowers with white throat create stunning visual displays on trellises, arbors, fences, and pergolas. The dense foliage and prolific blooms provide both aesthetic beauty and functional privacy screening during the growing season. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe bright blue flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the blooming season. This makes Palace Blue an excellent choice for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]
Edible Flowers
CulinaryMorning glory flowers are technically edible and can be used as a decorative garnish for salads and desserts. However, some people report they have little flavor, so they are primarily valued for their striking appearance. [source]
Living Shade & Climate Control
HouseholdThe dense vine coverage provides natural shading for south-facing walls and windows, helping to reduce cooling costs in summer. The foliage also adds a cooling effect to outdoor seating areas. [source]
Seed Collection & Propagation
CraftPalace Blue readily self-seeds in warm climates and seeds can be collected and stored for replanting. Gardeners enjoy saving seeds from year to year, making it economical for large-scale planting. [source]
Harvest Tips
Morning glories are grown primarily for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the season to promote continuous blooming. If collecting seeds for next year, allow some late-season flowers to develop fully mature seed pods (brown, papery pods). Harvest seed pods when they turn brown and papery, usually in fall. Store dried seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 2-3 years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Morning glories are named for their flowers, which typically open at dawn and close by midday or early afternoon—a behavior called 'circadian rhythms' that helps the plant conserve moisture and protect pollen in hot weather.
- 🌱 Palace Blue morning glory flowers change color slightly throughout the day, often appearing more vibrant in cooler morning temperatures and fading slightly as the day heats up.
- 🌱 In Japanese culture, morning glories hold special significance and are featured in traditional gardens and artwork; the plant is called 'Asagao' (朝顔) meaning 'morning face.'
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Palace Blue Morning Glory planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Palace Blue Morning Glory seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Palace Blue Morning Glory timeline →