Convolvulus sabatius - Ground Morning Glory
  

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Perennial
Family: Convolvulaceae (Morning-glories)
Origin: Africa, North (Africa)
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Color: Light Blue
Bloomtime: Year-round
Synonyms: [Convolvulus mauritanicus]
Height: 1 foot
Width: 2-3 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F
Convolvulus sabatius (Ground Morning Glory) - A trailing groundcover with a woody base and herbaceous stems that rarely reaches up to 1 foot tall and usually hugs the ground and spreads 3 feet in diameter or better with soft green rounded 1 1/2 inch long leaves. Light blue funnel-shaped flowers bloom throughout the year in areas with mild winters but blooms heaviest from spring through fall. Plant in full sun to light shade with well-drained soil and occasional water - tolerates soils with alkaline conditions well and will grow in heavier clay soil so long as it drains and is not over watered. It is hardy to 15 to 20 degrees F and can resprout if tops freeze back; it is also commonly cultivated as an annual in colder areas. It is tolerant of near-coastal conditions. Trim back plants in late winter to prevent from getting too woody and to maintain size. Great plant for a small ground cover or to fill in gaps between other plants and to use in container plantings and hanging baskets where it can spill over an edge. This plant is native to coastal areas below 1000 feet in elevation of Algeria and Morocco in northwestern Africa but also has disjunct populations in Spain and Italy. The name of the genus given by Linnaeus comes from the Latin word 'convolvere' a verb meaning to "roll together" or "to wrap" and is in reference to the vining clambering and covering nature of plants in the genus. The specific epithet comes from a region in Italy Vada Sabatia where the plant was first described by Italian botanist and naturalist Domenico Viviani (1772–1840) in 1824. This plant was long known as Convolvulus mauritanicus, which was described from North Africa but is now considered to be a synonym. It is also commonly known as Blue Rock Bindweed or Mauritian bindweed. Both this plant and Convolvulus cneorum were winners of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993 and we have grown it since 1984.  This description of Convolvulus sabatius is based on our research and our observations of this plant growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written.
 
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