Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Morning glories and clematis can absolutely grow together, and in fact, they make a stunning pair when planted side by side.
If you’ve been wondering whether morning glories and clematis can grow together, the short answer is yes, but the long answer involves a bit of planning.
You can grow morning glories and clematis together on the same trellis, fence, or arbor, and they’ll actually complement each other beautifully.
While morning glories and clematis can grow together, you need to consider their different growth habits, sunlight needs, and watering preferences.
In this post, we’ll dig into why morning glories and clematis can grow together, how to plant them successfully, and the best tricks to keep both vines happy.
Let’s get into it.
Why Morning Glories And Clematis Can Grow Together
Morning glories and clematis can grow together because they don’t compete for the same space in the garden.
Clematis tends to be a more restrained climber that grips tightly with its leaf stalks, while morning glories are vigorous twining vines that wrap around anything in their path.
That means when you plant morning glories and clematis together, the clematis can anchor itself early in the season, and the morning glory will weave around it without smothering it.
Let’s look at the reasons this pairing works so well.
1. They Bloom at Different Times
One of the biggest reasons morning glories and clematis can grow together is that they often bloom in different windows.
Clematis varieties like the early large-flowered types put on their show in late spring to early summer.
Morning glories, on the other hand, are heat lovers that wait until mid-summer to start producing their trumpet-shaped blooms.
So when you plant morning glories and clematis together, you get a sequence of color rather than a one-time burst.
This staggered blooming means you can enjoy clematis flowers first, and then the morning glory vines take over the visual spotlight.
2. They Use Different Parts of the Support
Morning glories and clematis can grow together because they naturally occupy different zones of the same structure.
Clematis tends to climb lower and stay more compact, especially if you choose a bush-type or non-vining variety.
Morning glories will happily race to the top of the trellis and spill over the top, giving the whole structure a fuller look.
This means that morning glories and clematis can grow together without one choking out the other’s foliage.
Just give the clematis a head start of a few weeks, and it will establish its framework before the morning glory gets going.
3. They Have Compatible Sun Preferences
Most morning glories and clematis can grow together in full sun, which is the sweet spot for both plants.
Clematis loves its “feet in the shade, head in the sun,” meaning the root zone should stay cool while the vine basks in light.
Morning glories thrive with at least six to eight hours of direct sun, and they don’t mind a little heat.
So when you place morning glories and clematis together, you can mulch the base to keep clematis roots cool, and the morning glory will cover the top in sunshine.
This mutual tolerance for similar light conditions is why morning glories and clematis can grow together so effectively.
4. They Attract Different Pollinators
Another fun reason morning glories and clematis can grow together is the pollinator variety they bring to your yard.
Clematis flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds with their open, petal-like sepals.
Morning glory blooms, especially the deep purple or blue ones, are pollinated by larger bees and sometimes hawk moths.
Planting morning glories and clematis together means your garden becomes a buffet for a wider range of beneficial insects.
This boosts the overall health of your garden ecosystem and gives you more life to watch from your patio.
How To Plant Morning Glories And Clematis Together
Now that you know morning glories and clematis can grow together, let’s talk about the actual planting steps.
You can’t just toss both seeds in the ground and hope for the best, a little coordination goes a long way.
1. Prepare the Soil and Site
Morning glories and clematis can grow together best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Clematis prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral pH, while morning glories are less picky and will adapt to almost any soil.
Before planting, dig a hole about 18 inches deep for the clematis, as it likes its roots to go deep.
For morning glories, a shallower planting of about half an inch deep is perfect.
Space them about 12 to 18 inches apart on the same support so their roots don’t tangle excessively.
2. Plant Clematis First
The best trick to ensure morning glories and clematis can grow together is to plant the clematis first.
Put the clematis in the ground in early spring, and let it settle for at least two to three weeks.
Water it deeply and add a layer of mulch around the base, but keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem.
After the clematis has established its root system, you can sow your morning glory seeds nearby.
This head start helps the clematis compete for water and nutrients while the morning glory is still germinating.
3. Train Them on the Same Structure
To make morning glories and clematis grow together in harmony, you’ll need to do a little guided training.
As the clematis grows, gently tie its stems to the trellis or wire using soft plant ties or twine.
When the morning glory shoots appear, they will naturally start twining around anything vertical, including the clematis stems.
That’s fine, but just make sure the morning glory doesn’t wrap around the clematis so tightly that it cuts off airflow.
Check weekly, and if the morning glory is being overly aggressive, direct a few stems to a neighboring part of the trellis.
4. Water and Feed on a Schedule
Morning glories and clematis can grow together, but they have slightly different moisture needs.
Clematis likes consistently moist but not soggy soil, so water it deeply once a week in the absence of rain.
Morning glories are a bit more drought-tolerant, but they’ll still appreciate regular watering during hot spells.
Feed the clematis with a balanced fertilizer in early spring, and give the morning glories a low-nitrogen fertilizer once they start vining.
Too much nitrogen will make the morning glory produce lots of leaves but few flowers, so keep that in mind.
Potential Challenges When Growing Them Together
While morning glories and clematis can grow together, there are a couple of hurdles to watch for.
1. The Morning Glory Can Be Too Vigorous
Morning glories are notorious self-seeders and can quickly overwhelm a smaller clematis if left unchecked.
To keep morning glories and clematis growing together successfully, prune the morning glory back in mid-summer.
Cut it back by about a third if it starts to cover the clematis flowers completely.
This encourages bushier growth and more blooms without letting it take over.
2. Disease Can Spread Between Them
If you grow morning glories and clematis together, you need to watch for fungal issues like powdery mildew.
Clematis can be prone to mildew when air circulation is poor, and a thick morning glory canopy can trap humidity.
Space your plants well, prune for airflow, and water at the base of the plants rather than overhead.
If you spot mildew, remove affected leaves promptly and treat with a fungicide if necessary.
So, Can Morning Glories And Clematis Grow Together?
Morning glories and clematis can grow together, and when you get the conditions right, the result is a spectacular vertical display.
The key is to plant the clematis first, give it time to establish, and monitor the morning glory’s enthusiasm.
By understanding that morning glories and clematis can grow together with different bloom times and growth zones, you’re set for success.
You can grow morning glories and clematis together in full sun with rich soil, consistent moisture, and a bit of pruning.
So if you’ve been asking whether morning glories and clematis can grow together, the answer is a confident yes.
Grab your trellis, pick a clematis variety you love, and let the morning glory twine right alongside it.
Happy gardening, and enjoy the gorgeous duo in your yard.