While the iconic hydrangeas steal the show on São Miguel, a different kind of vibrant blue is currently gracing the island’s landscape. The morning glory, scientifically known as Ipomoea indica, or the “blue dawn flower,” can be seen climbing all over the roadsides and volcanic slopes, creating a beautiful and unexpected sight.
Like the hydrangeas, the morning glory is an invasive species, originally from Japan. Its ability to grow so vigorously in the Azores’ unique climate and volcanic soil has allowed it to blanket the landscape, often forming dense, tangled mats of foliage. While biologists are concerned about its impact on native plants, there’s no denying the striking beauty of its delicate, funnel-shaped blooms.
The morning glories add a new layer of color to the summer scenery. The flowers themselves are typically a stunning purplish-blue, often fading to a paler shade as the day goes on. Each flower can grow to be several inches wide, and their distinctive, trumpet-like shape is easy to spot. They get their common name, “blue dawn flower,” because they bloom in the early morning and often fade by the afternoon, especially on very sunny days. This daily cycle of blooming creates a fresh, ever-changing display of vibrant blues and purples from late summer through early fall.
So, as you drive around the island this season, be sure to look beyond the famous blue hedges. You’ll find that the “lesser known” blue of the morning glory is a beautiful, if uninvited, part of the scenery.
