Morning Glory, Grandpa Otts

This Bavarian heirloom variety was passed down to Diane Whealy by her grandfather, John Ott and helped to start Seed Saver's Exchange.

Small, deep purple flowers with a red star in the throat bloom from mid-summer into the fall. Prolific bloomer on beautiful vines that can grow to twenty-five feet. Excellent for trellises and fences. We use them on the side of our potting shed to provide cooling in the summer.

Although they share common names with a weedy, intrusive plant, their botanical name is Ipomoea and although they may self-sow in some areas, they do not spread via underground runners like Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, which is also known as "Wild Morning Glory.

Morning Glory seeds are hard seeded and germination may be improved by nicking the seed coat and/or soaking overnight prior to planting. Start seeds indoors a few weeks before your last frost date or directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Germination may take up to three weeks. Each packet contains one gram, which is approximately 20 seeds.