Convolvulus Gardening Tips    | |||||
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Convolvulus is a genus of flowering plant in the family Convolvulaceae, comprising about 250 species. It is commonly known as bindweed and morning glory, both names are shared with other closely related genera. The species occurs in many temperate regions. Convolvulus is an annual or perennial climber, bines or evergreen shrub, growing to 0.3-3 m tall. It has leaves that are spirally arranged, with trumpet-shaped flowers, mostly white or pink, and blue, violet, purple or yellow in some species. Convolvulus species are food plants for larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf-miner Bucculatrix cantabricella, Bedellia annuligera and Bedellia somnulentella. Convolvulus tricolor (Dwarf Morning Glory), 40 x 30 cm, is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean Basin. It is a short-lived perennial, usually grown as an annual, which is an ideal plant for a hanging basket. It has solitary long-stalked flowers. The flowers are tri-colored funnel-shape bloom, 3 cm across, blue with white and a yellow center. The leaves are oval to elliptic, untoothed and unstalked. It can be found growing in dry, open habitats, sandy places and roadside. Convolvulus sabatius (Blue Rock Bindweed), 20 cm high, is a woody-stemmed trailing plant, native to Italy and North Africa. It has slightly hairy leaves and light blue to violet flowers, 2.5-5 cm diameter, with a paler center. This species is suitable for window boxes and containers and prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil. Tip pruning will encourage new growth and flowering. Convolvulus cneorum (Silverbush, Shrubby Bindweed, Silvery Bindweed), 0.6-1.2 m high and across, is more of a shrub than a vine, forming a low mould. It is native to Europe, in coastal area of Spain, Italy, Croatia and Albania. It bears white flowers of 2.5-4 cm in diameter, with a yellow throat, at the end of stems in loose panicles. The leaves are grey-green and are covered in fine hairs whch gives the plant a silvery appearance. This species prefers full sun, well-drained and alkaline soil. Convolvulus species are hardy and grow well in full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in spring; divide in spring; or softwood cuttings in summer.  Convolvulus sabatius Author: Stan Shebs (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Convolvulus sabatius Author: Frank Vincentz (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Convolvulus tricolor Author: MrSpode (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Convolvulus tricolor Author: Magnus Manske (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported)  Convolvulus tricolor Author: Kurt Stueber (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Convolvulus tricolor Author: Kurt Stueber (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Convolvulus cneorum Author: A. Barra (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported)  Convolvulus arvensis Author: Manfred Heyde (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Convolvulus arvensis Author: Tony Atkin (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic)  Convolvulus floridus Author: Valérie & Agnès (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Convolvulus althaeoides Author: Javier martin (public domain)  Convolvulus althaeoides Author: Tigerente (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Convolvulus dorycnium Author: Pikiwikisrael (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic) | |||||
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