Tree Morning Glory: A Mysterious Native Beauty Worth Knowing
If you’ve stumbled across the name tree morning glory (Ipomoea pauciflora) in your gardening research, you’ve discovered one of those intriguing native plants that doesn’t get much spotlight time. This member of the morning glory family is a bit of a botanical mystery, with limited information readily available to home gardeners.
What We Know About Tree Morning Glory
Tree morning glory belongs to the extensive Ipomoea genus, which includes hundreds of species of flowering vines and shrubs. While many of its cousins like sweet potato vine and common morning glory are well-documented garden favorites, Ipomoea pauciflora keeps a lower profile in gardening circles.
The tree in its common name suggests this plant may have a more substantial, woody growth habit compared to the typical twining vines we associate with morning glories. However, specific details about its exact growth form, mature size, and appearance remain elusive in standard gardening references.
Geographic Distribution and Native Range
Unfortunately, reliable information about the specific native range and geographic distribution of Ipomoea pauciflora is currently limited in accessible gardening resources. This lack of readily available information may indicate that it has a restricted range or hasn’t been extensively studied for horticultural purposes.
The Challenge for Home Gardeners
Here’s where things get honest: if you’re hoping to add tree morning glory to your garden, you might face some challenges. The limited availability of growing information suggests this species isn’t commonly cultivated or may be difficult to source from typical nurseries.
What This Means for Your Garden Plans
While the intrigue of growing something uncommon is tempting, the practical gardener might want to consider these points:
- Limited availability of plants or seeds from commercial sources
- Lack of established growing guidelines and care instructions
- Uncertainty about hardiness zones and climate requirements
- Unknown potential for invasive behavior in garden settings
Better-Known Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to the morning glory family, consider these well-documented native alternatives that offer similar charm with better-known growing requirements:
- Wild morning glory (Ipomoea pandurata) – a native perennial vine
- Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) – for coastal gardens
- Railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) – another coastal native option
If You’re Determined to Find It
Should you decide to hunt for tree morning glory, your best bets are:
- Native plant societies and specialty growers
- Academic botanical gardens that maintain rare species collections
- Online forums dedicated to rare and unusual plants
- Regional native plant sales and exchanges
The Bottom Line
Tree morning glory represents one of those fascinating botanical puzzles that reminds us how much we still don’t know about our native flora. While it may not be the easiest addition to your garden wishlist, its mystery adds to the ongoing adventure of native plant gardening.
For most gardeners, focusing on well-documented native morning glories will provide beautiful results with less guesswork. But if you’re the adventurous type who loves a horticultural challenge, the search for tree morning glory might just lead you to some interesting discoveries along the way.
