Convolvulus

( kon - VOLV - yew - lus )

At-A-Glance Information

Convolvulus is commonly referred to as Bindweed or Morning Glory, though the latter name actually refers more commonly to Ipomoea. The genus includes annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs. Native to the Mediterranean, they have funnel-shaped flowers similar to Morning Glory. They are best in the sun, but can tolerate some shade and need moderate amounts of water to perform well. Many species are considered invasive weeds, while others are cultivated for their attractive flowers. Use these classic garden ornamentals in outer areas of the garden, as climbers on trellises or other structures, or as groundcover in poor-soil sites. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are toxic to pets when ingested. Certain species are also considered invasive.

convolvulus Species and Varietals

The genus Convolvulus includes around 200-250 distinct species and varietals, and is the type genus member of the plant family Convolvulaceae, making it a relative of Ipomoea (Sweet Potato). The best growing zone for Convolvulus depends on the species grown; refer to the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Convolvulus althaeoides (Mallow Bindweed, Mallow-Leaved Bindweed, Riviera Bindweed, Morning Glory)
This perennial plant species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24. Individual plants reach up to 6 inches tall and 2-3 feet wide at maturity. Flowers bloom in summertime, and are pink. These spread by rhizomes and are great for rock gardens and hanging baskets. This species is considered invasive in many areas of the world, including the western United States and Australia. It is an agricultural weed in the Mediterranean, as well.

Convolvulus arvensis (Lesser Bindweed, European Bindweed, Withy Wind, Perennial Morning Glory, Small-Flowered Morning Glory, Creeping Jenny, Possession Vine)
This species grows from woody rhizome and forms a perennial vine that reaches up to 3.3 feet long. Flowers are white to pale pink, and have darker pink radial stripes. Stems climb in a counterclockwise direction. Foliage is green. This species is widely considered a highly invasive weed, especially in North America, Australia, South Africa, and Asia.

Convolvulus cantabrica (Cantabrican Morning Glory, Dwarf Morning Glory)
This species of Convolvulus reaches up to between 8 and 20 inches tall when mature. Flowers are widely funnel-shaped and pale pink to white. Leaves are coarsely hairy on both sides. The species is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, and is considered an invasive weed in California and Idaho.

Convolvulus cneorum (Bush Morning Glory, Silver Bush, Shrubby Bindweed)
This is an evergreen shrub, growing to 2-4 feet tall and wide quickly. Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 12-24. It produces silky smooth, silvery grey leaves and white-pink flowers with yellow throats. Flowers bloom in late spring to summer. Variety 'Snow Angel' is more compact, getting to just 1.5-2 feet tall and has pinkish-white flowers. Can get leggy if left alone; prune hard to encourage new growth.

Convolvulus erubescens (Blushing Bindweed, Australian Bindweed)
This perennial herbaceous plant is endemic to Australia, where it is found growing in coastal and subcoastal regions. Plants produce trailing, twining stems and green foliage. Flowers are deep pink to mauve with white centers. Can be a nuisance in gardens.

Convolvulus sabatius (Convolvulus mauritanicus) (Ground Morning Glory, Rock Bindweed, Ground Blue-Convolvulus)
Perennial plant, grows best in zones 4-9 and 12-24. Grows 1-2 feet tall with trailing branches that reach three feet or more in length. Soft, hairy green leaves and lavender-blue flowers. Blooms from early summertime through fall. Grows well in gravely soil with great drainage. Can take to clay soil if not over-watered. Can become woody, though this issue can be controlled through trimming in late winter. Native to coastal Africa, Spain and Italy. Great for hanging baskets and as a groundcover.

Convolvulus scammonia (Scammony)
This species is native to the eastern Mediterranean basin and the Greek Islands. Leaves are green and arrow-shaped and flowers are yellow to white with reddish-pink linear markings. Individual plants in this species produce vigorous, twining stems that can reach up to 15-20 feet long. They grow from thick, tuberous roots.

Convolvulus tricolor (Dwarf Morning Glory, Tricolor Convolvulus)
This perennial species grows in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 12-24. It forms a bushy, somewhat trailing plant that gets to 1 foot high and 2 feet wide at maturity. Flowers in the summertime in blue blooms with yellow throats. Varieties include 'Blue Flash' and 'Ensign', which both get to a height of around six inches.

Caring for and pruning Convolvulus shrubs

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are toxic to pets when ingested. Certain species are also considered invasive. Plant Convolvulus flowers in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Space plants about a foot apart; they look best when planted in groups. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, though do appreciate supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings can help to discourage issues like root rot.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Convolvulus species can be annual or perennial. Annual species are typically dug up at the end of the growing season and composted or left in place to enrich soil. Perennial species typically survive in the landscape for 3-5 years before needing to be replaced. Both annual and perennial species will freely re-seed in the landscape, providing new plants indefinitely.

Caring for Convolvulus in Containers
Convolvulus flowers can be considered invasive in many areas, and growing them in containers can curb this tendency. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Convolvulus plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Convolvulus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Convolvulus, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Convolvulus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Convolvulus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Convolvulus plants are pretty easy to spot; they are green at first, and dry to a brown color, and are left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Convolvulus seeds need to be soaked before being planted, so when you're ready to sow your seeds, soak them overnight in water first. The next day, you can take them out and plant them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Convolvulus seeds are contained in pods that are left behind after flowers have faded.

Convolvulus seeds are dark and relatively small.

Problems and Pests

It is important to note in this section that Bindweed itself can be a pest, if the right conditions are met and the wrong species is grown. It is considered invasive in many areas; check with local authorities before planting. Convolvulus plants are affected by the following pests and diseases in the landscape: