Convolvulus Sabatius

Ground Morning Glory / Blue Rock Bindweed / Silver Bush / Moroccan Glory Vine

Botanical Name: Convolvulus sabatius (syn. C. mauritanicus)
Family: Convolvulaceae
Origin: Mediterranean (NW Africa & S Europe)
Plant Type: Groundcover (trailing perennial)

Overview

A sun-loving, trailing groundcover that forms soft mats of blue-green foliage and a long display of lilac-blue, yellow-throated trumpets from spring into autumn. Perfect for spilling over walls, rockeries and pots.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.1-0.2 m H x 0.6-1.5 m W (spread)
• Growth Rate: 20-40 (spread) cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Small blue-green to grey-green leaves, neat and branching
• Flowers: Lilac/sky-blue funnels with a pale/yellow eye, peak spring–summer, spot flowers into autumn
  
• Seasonal Interest: Very long flowering season; tidy evergreen mound in mild climates
• Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees and other pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 3–5 plants per m² for coverage; 3–4 per linear metre along edges
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; any ingestion may upset pets

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering; light part shade tolerated
• Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; raised/mounded beds on heavier ground
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks; Established: Deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Light shear after main flush to keep compact and encourage more buds; mulch in spring; light, balanced feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Generally non-toxic; any ingestion may upset pets

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Spillover for retaining walls, steps and containers to soften hard edges
• Rock gardens and gravel beds for a sun-drenched, Mediterranean look
• Bank and verge cover where a low, flowering carpet is desired

Why You Will Love It

A cheerful, low-care blue carpet that flowers for months, shrugs off heat and salt, and brightens borders, pots and walls with minimal fuss.