This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Can morning glories and clematis grow together, and if so, how can you make that pairing work in your garden?
Yes, morning glories and clematis can absolutely grow together, and when you get the conditions right, they create a stunning, layered display of color and texture.
It’s a combination that many gardeners dream about, but you need to understand a few key differences between these two climbers before you plant them side by side.
Morning glories are fast-growing annuals that love the sun, while clematis can be perennials or deciduous vines with a wide range of sun preferences depending on the variety.
In this post, we’ll dig into why morning glories and clematis can grow together successfully, what you need to watch out for, and how to set both up for a thriving partnership.
Let’s explore how to help morning glories and clematis grow together beautifully.
Why Morning Glories and Clematis Can Grow Together
The short answer is yes, you can grow morning glories and clematis together, and the pairing works best when you plan for their different growth habits.
Morning glories are vigorous, twining annuals that can easily reach 10 to 15 feet in a single season, while clematis is a more moderate climber that uses its leaf stalks to grip onto supports.
Because they both climb, the trick is giving them enough space and a sturdy structure so they don’t smother each other.
Here’s why these two vines can be great companions:
1. They Fill Different Vertical Layers
Morning glories are the speed demons of the vine world, quickly covering a trellis or fence with heart-shaped leaves and trumpet flowers.
Clematis, depending on the type, tends to grow more slowly and often blooms in waves, so it can fill in the lower and middle sections of your support.
This means you can have morning glories scrambling up top while clematis holds down the fort below.
When morning glories and clematis grow together in this layered way, they don’t compete for the same space as aggressively as you might think.
2. They Can Bloom at Different Times
One of the best reasons to grow morning glories and clematis together is the extended bloom time you get.
Morning glories are notorious for opening their cheerful flowers in the morning and closing them by afternoon, and they bloom continuously from midsummer until the first frost.
Clematis, on the other hand, can be early bloomers, late bloomers, or even repeat bloomers depending on the variety you choose.
By picking a clematis that flowers in early summer, you’ll get color before the morning glories really kick into high gear.
And that means your trellis or arbor stays colorful for months, not just a few weeks.
3. Their Root Systems Are Compatible
Morning glories have fibrous roots that spread out but stay relatively shallow, while clematis prefers its roots kept cool and shaded.
That’s a perfect match because the dense foliage of morning glories at the top can cast shade over the soil, helping keep clematis roots happy.
Clematis roots need that protection from hot sun, so the morning glory’s leafy coverage is a natural benefit.
When you grow morning glories and clematis together, the annual provides shade, and the perennial gets the cool root run it craves.
Challenges to Watch For When Growing Morning Glories and Clematis Together
Even though morning glories and clematis can grow together, you’re not off the hook just yet.
There are a few potential problems you’ll want to prevent, especially if you want both vines to thrive.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
1. Morning Glories Can Be Bully Vines
Morning glories are incredibly vigorous, and if you’re not careful, they can easily wrap around and choke out a slower-growing clematis.
You can grow morning glories and clematis together, but only if you give each plant its own section of the trellis or arbor.
Otherwise, the morning glory will overtake the clematis and block the sunlight it needs.
Regular pruning of the morning glory vines will help keep them in bounds and prevent them from strangling your clematis.
2. Sunlight Needs May Differ
Most morning glories want full sun, which means at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Clematis, however, is famously finicky: its flowers love the sun, but its roots demand shade.
That’s why the “tops in sun, roots in shade” rule is so important for clematis.
When you plant morning glories and clematis together, make sure the clematis’s top growth still gets enough sun to bloom.
If you have a spot that’s too shady, the clematis may not flower well even if the morning glories are thriving.
3. Different Watering Needs
Morning glories are drought-tolerant once established and actually prefer soil that’s on the drier side.
Clematis, though, likes consistent moisture and will drop its buds if the soil dries out too much.
To make morning glories and clematis grow together as happy neighbors, you’ll need to find a watering balance.
Mulch around the base of both plants to retain moisture for the clematis, but avoid overwatering the morning glory.
A drip irrigation system with a timer can deliver slow, deep water right where the clematis roots need it.
Best Trellis and Support Ideas for Both Vines
The support structure you choose can make or break your plan to grow morning glories and clematis together.
Both vines need something to climb, but they climb in different ways.
Morning glories twine their stems around anything thin, while clematis climbs by wrapping its leaf stalks around supports.
Here’s what works best:
1. Use a Wide, Sturdy Trellis
A narrow trellis will just become a tangled mess when you grow morning glories and clematis together.
Instead, choose a trellis that’s at least 4 to 6 feet wide, with a lattice or grid pattern.
This gives the morning glory plenty of vertical space to roam while leaving open areas for the clematis to grab onto.
You can also add horizontal wires or netting to give both vines more to climb.
2. Try an Arbor or Arch for Vertical Separation
An arbor is an excellent choice because it naturally divides the climbing space.
You can train the morning glory up one side and the clematis up the other, letting them meet at the top.
This way, morning glories and clematis can grow together without constantly tangling with each other.
Plus, the overhead bloom show is absolutely spectacular.
3. Plant Them on Opposite Sides of a Fence
If you have a chain-link fence or a wooden privacy fence, you can simply plant the morning glory on one side and the clematis on the other.
The fence provides a strong backing, and each vine gets its own climbing surface.
This is one of the easiest ways to ensure both get enough air, light, and space.
Planting and Care Tips for Success
If you want to ensure morning glories and clematis grow together without fighting, follow these planting and care tips.
They’ll thank you with a long, colorful season.
1. Space Them Generously
Don’t cram them together.
Plant the clematis at the base of your support, and then plant the morning glory a foot or two away.
This gives each root system room to establish without competing for water and nutrients.
You can always train the morning glory vines toward the clematis as they grow.
2. Prune Morning Glories Aggressively
Don’t be shy about cutting back morning glory vines during the summer.
If the morning glory starts to overwhelm the clematis, just snip the rogue stems.
The morning glory will quickly rebound, so you won’t lose your flower show.
Regular pruning also encourages even more blooms, which is always a win.
3. Feed Them Differently
Morning glories prefer low-fertility soil, so too much fertilizer leads to lush leaves and few flowers.
Clematis, on the other hand, benefits from a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again in midsummer.
To handle this, fertilize the clematis at its base only, keeping the fertilizer away from the morning glory roots.
This way, you’re giving each plant what it needs without overdoing it.
4. Be Patient with Clematis
Remember that clematis often takes a year or two to establish itself before putting on its big show.
Don’t be discouraged if your clematis looks small while the morning glory is already racing up the trellis.
As long as you keep the morning glory from smothering it, the clematis will eventually catch up.
In the meantime, the morning glory will be filling your garden with color, so you won’t feel like you’re waiting at all.
So, Can Morning Glories and Clematis Grow Together?
Yes, morning glories and clematis can grow together beautifully when you give them the right support, space, and care.
The key is balancing the vigorous, sun-loving annual with the more delicate, moisture-loving perennial.
When you do that, you get a vertical garden that’s bursting with color from early summer all the way to fall.
So if you’ve been wondering whether to try this pairing, go for it—just follow the tips we’ve covered here.
With a little planning, you can grow morning glories and clematis together for a stunning, layered display that any gardener would be proud of.