Morning glories are vigorous vines that can grow ten feet tall or larger, producing attractive funnel-shaped blooms through the summer.
In order to maximize the quantity of blooms and keep these aggressive climbers in check, it is useful to do some occasional pruning and deadheading of spent flowers.
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Continue on to learn how to trim morning glories.
Pruning morning glories is not challenging.
By following a few simple steps throughout the season – such as pinching back seedlings, deadheading spent blossoms, and trimming ragged vines – you will be able to encourage healthier, more manageable plants with abundant flowers.
Pinch Seedlings in SpringTo encourage branching and rapid growth, you should pinch back seedlings when they have a couple of sets of true leaves. Cut them back about half an inch from the tips.
You can also pinch off the tips of any lateral stems that develop after that.
Continue to pinch the tips of new branches as they appear, to direct and shape the plant as you desire. Pinching back stems throughout the growing season will result in a more compact and bushier plant.
Prune During SummerTo keep plants more contained and to reduce unwanted spreading, you can also trim lateral stems significantly. Cut back any vines to the desired length by trimming just past a leaf bud.
You can thin up to a third of the stems at a time. This can be done a few times during the growing season. Pruning also allows the remaining foliage to receive more sun, which will encourage flowering.
As summer wears on, plants may begin to look weary and you may notice blooming starts to slow.
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