This exotic miniature Morning Glory from the Mediterranean put on a dazzling show all summer long with lovely 4 to 5cm (1½ to 2in) trumpet-shaped blooms. Despite the classification "tricolour", this Ensign variety only has two colours - white with yellow eye.

A prolific bloomer which will flower from early summer and right through autumn. It is a bushy, multi-branched plant with dark green foliage that quickly forms low mounds about 12" high. The mounding habit makes it perfect massed in large beds or planted under taller plants. The trailing growth also looks great in large containers and window boxes.

It is perennial in its native warmer climes, but grown as an annual elsewhere. Very easy to grow from seed, these may be direct sown outside in spring or started earlier inside in more northern climates.

Preparation:
Choose a sunny position with moist soil, they cannot grow or bloom properly in the shade. The seed coating is rather hard, and it will hasten germination if you stand the seeds in tepid water for a day or two before sowing.

Sowing: Sow indoors in late winter, or outdoors in early spring
Sow indoors in early spring no sooner than 3 to 4 weeks before the last expected frosts, and 4 weeks before you plan to plant them outside. Alternatively, the seed can also be sown directly where they are to flower once all risk of frosts has passed. Keep soil moist during germination.

Sowing Indoors:
Sow into individual pots or trays of seed compost. Paper or peat pots are preferable. Use well drained soil and cover to a depth of 3mm (1/8in). Maintain a temperature of around 20°C (68°F) and keep compost moist. Germination will take place 5 to 14 days
Plants are extremely resentful of root disturbance, even when they are quite small, and should be potted up almost as soon as they germinate. Prick out to individual pots, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out in growing position after the last expected frosts. Space 15cm (6in) apart. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away actively.

Sowing Direct:
Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. Sow 1mm (1/18th in) deep in rows 7cm (3in) apart.
Sow seed sparingly or they will choke out other seedlings.
The seedlings will appear in rows approx 3 to 4 weeks after planting and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings. Thin the seedlings out so they are finally 30cm (12in) apart. Carefully replant thinned plants.

Cultivation:
Remove spent flowers to encourage prolific blooming….and if you do not wish to have volunteer seedlings next year!

Note:
Seeds are harmful if eaten.

Nomenclature:
Convolvulus is pronounced kon-volv-yoo-lus is taken from the Latin convolvere , meaning to twine around.