Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Convolvulus tricolor L.

Fully hardy, bushy, upright, then spreading perennial, usually grown as an annual, with funnel-shaped royal-blue flowers with a lighter centre in succession throughout summer.  Many cultivars are available.  To 40cm.  A very useful bedding and edging plant.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This species has usually been called Convolvulus minor by gardeners, by way of distinguishing it from Convolvulus purpureus, to which we have given the name of major.  It is a very pretty annual; a native of Spain, Portugal, and Sicily, and very commonly cultivated in gardens.  The most usual colours of its blossoms are blue, white, and yellow, whence its name of tricolor; but there is a variety of it with white, and another with striped blossoms.  [BM t.27/1787].  Introduced to Britain in 1629.  [JD].  Flore des Serres figures the variety vittatus with yellow-centred flowers.  [FS pl.VI 12e Liv./1847].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.82/1850].  It is possible that this plant was obtained as seed from James Carter, Florist and Seedsman of High Holborn, with whom an order for 8 varieties of convolvulus seed was placed on 8th of April 1846.  [MP A2933-1, p.128].

Notes

Convolvulus minor Gilib. = Convolvulus arvensis L., ‘Small bindweed’, a weedy species from Europe.

Published Feb 07, 2009 - 03:21 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 03:26 PM

Shown are the leaves and blue, yellow and white trumpet-shaped flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.27, 1787.

Convolvulus tricolor L. | BM t.27/1787 | BHL

Family Convolvulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Southern Europe, north Africa

Synonyms
  • Convolvulus minor Hort. ex Mill.
Common Name

Dwarf morning glory

Name in the Camden Park Record

Convolvulus minor 

Confidence level high