Moon Flower

I recieved a moon flower plant, I planted it outside in full sun and it has taken off like crazy, blooms are just beautiful. problem is my friend comes over and tells me it won't survive the winter. is this true? and if it is how can I make him survive all winter?

Assuming by moonflower you mean Ipomoea alba http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/893/ then it's only hardy to zone 8. I don't know if there's a way you can dig it up and put it in a pot and bring it inside for the winter? Or maybe it'll make seeds and you can grow another one next year. Or you could probably take cuttings and start those inside over the winter, then next year you'll have a new plant.

If it is Datura, it will get some big seed pods on it that you gan use to resow next year. Can you post a pic so we can see exactly which one you have?

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/355/

This message was edited Jun 23, 2007 7:59 PM

Ipomoea alba yes that is what it is! This is a beauty oh I hope I can keep this one going I'll never put him outside again any Idea's on inside care?

I think it would prefer to be outside during the warm months, just bring it in for the winter. I've never grown it either indoors or outdoors, hopefully someone else will come along with some tips for you.

I have grown it ...and loved it!....it likes warm semi shade (or dappled) at least in hot situations.....given this and a good drink about twice a week (mulch over the roots).It will get through Winter if protected by other plants.Good luck and don't forget to go outside and watch it throb and then open just as the sun starts to go down....pure magic...nice light scent too!

Thank-you guys for all your information if anyone has any more information I would love to hear it

This looks a lot like bindweed - which I have spend years trying to get rid of in my garden as it strangles everything else. I'm nearly on top of it now and get rid of the small plants the minute I see them. It's from the same family, Convulvulus, but I don't know if the moon flower is as invasive. Bindweed flowers look beautiful too, but I don't want them in my garden! Does anyone know if they have similar properties or if they behave differently?

Moonflower is related to bindweed but it's not nearly as aggressive. At least not over here...but I know there are plants that are well-behaved on your side of the pond but nasty over here so I'm sure the reverse can be true as well.

Hi kemp,

You might try checking in with the Morning Glory Forum here. Moonflowers are frequently discussed and the people at that forum seem very knowledgeable.

Sharon

my plant has more of a thick tree like body. it is not a vine. I'll try to get a pic up tomorrow

Hey! We live pretty close to each other. I am just down RT 47 from you in Plano! In fact, I got all my plants out in Woodstock. We went to Northern IL Wholesale Nursery.

check out KOLZIE nursery they are family owned and operated nice people and greenhouse they are off of Dean st. in Woodstock and rt. 14 nice to know people close by

To everyone who responded to my post : I have transplanted it, from outside to a oversize pot , it took 3 days to outcome the stress but it is back to it's happy self no new blooms yet but i will let you know Thank-you

Hi, kempssecretgard--Your comment about the tree-like body makes me wonder if you dont have an angel's trumpet plant. I planted both this year for the first time, and the angel's trumpet is more of a small shrub. The moonflower is a very ambitious, and I do mean ambitious, vine.

Sounds like not moonflower- it would be definitely viney.

If it's really a moonflower, Ipomoae alba, you'ld have a fifteen foot vine by fall ! I can't imagine trying to deal with that in a pot for winter. It will not survive winter outside in zone 7 at least, or self seed either. Very frost tender. The flowers are much bigger than bindweed's, open in the evening and smell very sweet.

Well Everyone Not Only did This Beauty Survive but it is Thriving just take a look now can you tell me what variety?

it's not Ipomoae alba

It's a Datura, don't know which one though. They're called moonflower sometimes too.

My daughter in law has moonflowers over a trellis walkway into her garden. It has taken over the whole trellis and is beautiful. She just leaves them in the winter and they will come back (sometimes) if not she just replants each year. I have one growing up a tree and it is definately a climbing plant

The thing that's confusing people in this thread is that there are two (probably more, but at least two that have been discussed on this thread) which go by the name moonflower. One is Ipomoea alba which is a vine: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/893/
And the other is Datura, which is not a vine. Here's one example, but there are many different kinds: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1235/

The plant that kempsseccretgard has is a Datura.

Definately Datura....probably Datura Wrightii

They get big....and will reseed. Don't worry, I would be surprised if you don't have them again next year. I have them everywhere....and pull most of them up. Believe me, they can be invasive.

I have found that with both types of moonflowers (Ipomoea alba & Datura), that they are very easy to grow from seed. Each puts out numerous seed pods at the end of the season. Just collect up some seed, save them in a cool dry area. Next spring, either start them in pots early, or just drop them in the ground after your last frost. Either way has been successful for me.

i planted them for the first time this spring. they took over my whole porch, but i love them