Ipomoea learii - Blue dawn flower

Ipomoea indica, or Ipomoea learii, sometimes called Indian Morning Glory, is a perennial creeper with a sturdy root, flexible and with extremely vigorous twining stems capable of reaching over 10 metres in a season. The long tendrils of this morning glory run along the ground, rooting at each node as well as climbing the tallest trees, seeking the sun to produce thousands of flowers from July to October. These funnel-shaped corollas display a stunning blue-mauve hue, luminescent at dawn. They fade during the hottest hours of the day or in the evening, turning a more purplish shade. If you love lush plants that can cover a small arbour in a single season, adopt this beautiful morning glory in the ground or in a pot. It is quite drought-resistant and not very demanding in terms of soil. Make sure to provide enough space and monitor its growth!

Ipomoea indica belongs to the family of Convolvulaceae. This plant is likely native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America but has naturalised in many regions of the world where it finds mild winters and long hot summers. In Europe, it is commonly found in the northern part of Spain, as well as in France, in slightly humid areas or in gardens in the south. It is an evergreen herbaceous liana if it does not freeze, completely deciduous below -3°C. Its root, well protected, can withstand short freezes around -8°C. The growth of this plant is rapid as soon as the temperature rises in spring. From the ground, flexible hairy stems emerge, resembling strong ropes, often tinged with purple. The stems are either creeping, ensuring the plant's horizontal development, or climbing, ensuring flowering. They bear large leaves (15cm x 18cm) divided into 3 to 5 cordate lobes, of a fairly dark green colour, hairy on both sides. The incredible flowering, often visited by large bees, usually begins in July and does not end until October. At the axil of the branches, clusters of tightly coiled buds emerge at the end of long peduncles. They gradually open into large funnel-shaped flowers measuring 8-10cm in diameter. The flowers are blue-mauve in the morning, with pink rays that dive into a small white throat. They open at sunrise, turn purple during the day, and close in the late afternoon. In Mediterranean climates, the flowers often close in early afternoon due to intense heat. This morning glory rarely produces seeds in European climates, except in very privileged areas.

Ipomoea learii twines vigorously, if left to its own devices, up to the tops of trees. It is spectacular on an old hedge or a tall wall. It requires, in most European climates, a sheltered location. By training the twining stems as they grow, this plant can be used to cover a fence, trellis, or arbour, thanks to its vigor. In the garden or in a large pot on the terrace, it can accompany Mandevilla laxa, with its white and fragrant flowers, or mix with the blooms of annual morning glories, clematis, and other honeysuckles. This Ipomoea can also be grown in large containers that can be protected from severe cold.