MORNING GLORIES (IPOMOEA TRICOLOR AND I. PURPUREA) This flower
produces a daily crop of beautiful blue, purple, pink, scarlet,
white or multi-coloured trumpet-shaped blooms and heart-shaped
leaves on vines that branch from the base of the plant and
rapidly reach three to six metres. Perhaps because the blooms of
older varieties are short lived-lasting only half a day-morning
glories symbolize affectation or flirtation. But newer types
hold their bloom most of the day, especially in cloudy weather.
Favourite varieties include I. tricolor 'Heavenly Blue', a
bright sky blue, and 'Scarlet O'Hara', a deep red. When danger
of frost has passed, soak seeds in water overnight to soften the
seed covering. Then, in a sunny area, sow the seeds one
centimetre deep, 20 to 30 centimetres apart in ordinary, well-
drained soil. (If the soil is too rich, the vines produce a
profusion of leaves instead of flowers.) Or start seeds indoors
in individual eight-centimetre peat pots four to six weeks
before the last frost date. When