Dwarf Morning Glory Red Ensign originates from the Mediterranean area. It flowers with very large and striking dark red trumpet-shaped flowers with contrasting yellow throats. This easy to grow and branching annual needs a very sunny spot in the garden. Dwarf Morning Glory is related to the Morning Glory but it isn't a climber. This plant is very well suited to bring some colour to borders, in large flower pots and containers. It's also very well suited to use in the bees and butterflies garden, because it's well loved by bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. The flowers close in the evening and open the next morning. Deadhead regurlarly to make sure this flower is flowering from june till september. Non hardy annual. Height: 20 cm.
Soaking: 24 hours
Indoor sowing: march - middle of april
Outdoor sowing: end of april - may
Germination: 5 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: shallow
Plant distance: 20 - 25 cm
Plant position: very sunny and sheltered
Flowering period: june - september
Soak the hard seeds approx. 24 hours before sowing them in tepid water. This aids and speeds up the germination. Sow indoors from march on and use seperate peat pots. Sow 1 seed per pot and press the seeds gently in the soil. Don't cover the seeds. Keep moist and warm, but not to wet to prevent moulding of the seeds. Put the pots somewhere warm. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Harden the seedlings (in their peat pots) for approx. 10 - 14 days of by putting them outside in the sun during the day from the beginning of may. Put the seedlings after this hardening of period still in their peat pots outside on a very sunny and sheltered plot with free draining soil. Don't transplant the seedlings in seperate pots, because Dwarf morning glory doesn't respond well after root disturbance.
Sow outdoors from the end of april, when there's no longer any risk of nightfrosts. Sow the seeds on a very sunny and sheltered spot. Sow thinly and press the seeds gently in the soil. Keep moist and weedfree. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to 20 - 25 cm. Dwarf Morning Glory grows best on poor, sandy soil. It doesn't respond well to rich fertile soil. This plant has a good drought resistance. Dwarf Morning Glory can reseed itself.
