How to Grow Pardon My Purple
Wikimedia Commons
Pardon My Purple
Ipomoea purpurea
vinePardon My Purple is a stunning ornamental morning glory variety featuring deep purple flowers with distinctive white throat markings. This vigorous annual vine grows quickly and produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season, making it ideal for trellises, arbors, and vertical gardens. The heart-shaped foliage and prolific flowering habit create a dramatic visual impact in landscape settings.
When should you plant Pardon My Purple in your zone?
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Example Pardon My Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pardon My Purple
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 Pardon My Purple
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pardon My Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 9-11
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons and first true leaves emerging; delicate and tender
Keep soil warm (70-80°F) and moist. Provide bright light indoors. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once first true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksVigorous vine development with heart-shaped leaves; plant climbs and spreads along support structures
Direct onto trellis or support structure early. Provide consistent moisture and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch growing tips to encourage branching.
Budding
1-2 weeksFlower buds form along the vine; buds appear as small green bumps that swell with color
Reduce nitrogen to encourage flowering over foliage. Maintain consistent watering. Reduce fertilizer frequency, using lower-nitrogen formulation.
Flowering
6-12 weeksAbundant deep purple flowers with white throats open in early morning, typically closing by afternoon. Blooms continuously throughout warm season.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, though this is not essential. Continue moderate watering. Watch for pests during peak bloom.
Seed Production
3-4 weeksAfter flowers fade, small round seed pods develop containing 3-4 seeds each. Pods mature and dry on the vine.
Allow some flowers to remain unfaded if saving seeds. Collect pods when they turn brown and papery. Store seeds in cool, dry location.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; strong water spray can dislodge pests
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Increase humidity by misting; use neem oil or miticide; ensure adequate air circulation
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray every 7-10 days
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Hand-pick early in morning; use traps away from plants; spray with neem oil if infestation is severe
Uses
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftPardon My Purple morning glories make striking cut flowers, though they close by afternoon. Pick blooms in early morning at peak freshness for best vase life and impact in floral arrangements. [source]
Vertical Gardening & Privacy Screen
HouseholdThe vigorous vining habit and dense foliage make this ideal for quickly covering trellises, arbors, fences, and pergolas. Creates attractive living privacy screen and shaded areas in garden. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeAbundant morning glory flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting garden ecology and neighboring plant reproduction. [source]
Ornamental Edible Flowers
CulinaryWhile primarily ornamental, morning glory flowers are edible and can be used as garnish for desserts and beverages, adding visual appeal to culinary presentations. [source]
Garden Color & Focal Point
HouseholdThe striking deep purple blooms with white throats create dramatic visual interest and serve as a stunning focal point in garden design throughout the flowering season. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pardon My Purple is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Enjoy blooms by cutting for fresh arrangements when fully open in morning. To collect seeds, allow some flowers to dry on the vine, then harvest papery seed pods in late summer/fall before frost. Store seeds in cool, dry place for next season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Morning glory flowers bloom in the early morning and typically close by early afternoon, earning their common name. This behavior is tied to the plant's internal circadian rhythm that responds to light and temperature changes.
- 🌱 Morning glory seeds have been used in traditional medicine and contain ergot alkaloids; some cultures have used them ceremonially, though consumption should be avoided due to potential toxicity.
- 🌱 Pardon My Purple is named for its ability to thrive despite less-than-perfect growing conditions, forgiving many gardening mistakes while still producing abundant, stunning blooms.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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