Calystegia soldanella (Beach Morning Glory)

Noted for its showy flowers and interesting foliage, Calystegia soldanella (Beach Morning Glory) is a trailing perennial vine with upward-facing, trumpet-shaped, delicate pink to bright lavender flowers. Blooming from mid-spring to fall, the flowers are large, up to 2 in. across (5 cm), and adorned with 5 white stripes and a golden center. Attractive to bees, butterflies and moths, they are insect-pollinated. They give way to broad-ovoid capsules containing seeds that are water and possibly also wind dispersed. The succulent trailing stems are covered with fleshy, glossy, kidney-shaped leaves. Calystegia soldanella grows in beach sand and other coastal habitats on the west coast and selected areas on the east coast of North America, and across Europe into Asia. It does best with coastal conditions and loose, well-draining soil, sometimes growing on salt-sprayed shore gravel in places where few other species can survive.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm). Will spread by rhizomes to form a mat without being invasive.
• Thrives in full sun in sandy, well-drained soils. Drought, salty wind and salt spray tolerant.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails.
• Propagate by seed or by division of rhizomes.
• Native to temperate regions across the world. In North America, Calystegia soldanella is found on the west coast and selected areas of the east coast. In the United Kingdom, it is widespread on the sandy coasts of England and Wales, less common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also widespread around the coast of Ireland and Mediterranean coast.