How to Grow Blue Enchantment Convolvulus

Blue enchantment Convolvulus (Tricolor "Blue Enchantment") is a sun-loving bloomer native to the warm climates of the Mediterranean. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the octagonal, trumpet-shaped flowers in a stunning shade of intense blue with bright yellow centers surrounded by a white border. Blue enchantment Convolvulus, also known as dwarf morning glory, is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 11. In cooler climates, Convolvulus is grown as an annual.

Things You'll Need

• Spade or shovel
• Rake
• Manure or compost
• Convolvulus seeds
• Hose and fine spray attachment or watering can
• Celled planting tray for indoor planting
• Commercial potting soil
• Clear plastic
• Spray bottle
• General-purpose fertilizer

Instructions

Starting Seeds Outdoors

1. Prepare the soil in a sunny, well-drained location, as Convolvulus tolerates poor soil but doesn't do well when it's soggy or in shade. To prepare the soil, dig to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, then rake in 2 to 3 inches of manure or compost.

2. Level the soil with a rake, then broadcast the seeds lightly over the planting area. Cover the seeds with a layer of light soil no more than 1/4-inch deep.

3. Water the area carefully with a hose and fine spray attachment or a watering can. Keep the soil moist until the Convolvulus seeds germinate.

4. Thin the Convolulus seedlings when the seedlings are about 2 inches tall. Pinch off the weak seedlings and leave the strongest seedlings to mature, allowing 12 to 14 inches between each seedling.

Starting Seeds Indoors

1. Plant Convolvulus seeds indoors two to three weeks before the last expected frost in your area to give the plants a head start. To plant Convolvulus seeds indoors, fill a celled planting tray with commercial potting soil. Water the potting soil the night before planting, then let the excess water drain until the soil is moist but not soggy.

2. Plant two or three Convolvulus seeds in each cell. Cover the seeds with no more than 1/4 inch of potting soil.

3. Cover the tray with clear plastic, then place the tray in a warm spot and moderate sunlight. Check the planting tray daily and mist the soil with a spray bottle as often as needed to keep the potting soil slightly damp.

4. Thin the seedlings to one Convolvulus plant per cell when the seedlings are about 2 inches tall. To thin the seedlings, pinch the weakest seedlings at soil level.

5. Plant the Convolvulus seedlings outdoors when the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. Dig a hole for each seedling, then plant the seedling in the hole at approximately the same soil depth the seedling was growing in the planting tray. Allow 10 to 12 inches between each plant.

General Care

1. Pinch the growing tips of Convolvulus seedlings when the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall, as pinching the tips causes the tips to branch out, creating a full, bushy, more compact plant. Continue to pinch each new tip until the plant reaches the desired level of fullness.

2. Water Convolvulus regularly until the plants are established and displaying healthy new growth. Thereafter, Convolvulus is drought tolerant, but benefits from a weekly watering during hot, dry weather. Water Convolvulus thoroughly, providing enough water to saturate the root zone. Don't water again until the soil is dry. Too much water causes poor flowering and may cause mildew and other fungal problems caused by excess moisture.

3. Feed Convolvulus every six to eight weeks throughout spring and summer. Use a general-purpose fertilizer applied according to the directions on the container.

Tips & Warnings

• Soak Convolvulus seeds in warm water the night before planting to soften the seed cover and speed germination.

References

• University of Vermont Extension; Convolvulus, Ipomoea; Leonard Perry
• Learn2Grow: Convolvulus Tricolor 'Blue Enchantment'
• University of Minnesota Extension; Planting Annual Seeds and Transplants in the Landscape; 2006

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish