Holly vs Morning Glory

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Holly

Ilex opaca

Aquifoliaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Holly (Zones 5-9)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Holly	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Ilex opaca	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Aquifoliaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	shrubs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Acidic, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	40'	10'
Spread	20'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Holly

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View HollyProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Holly and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Holly grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Holly and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Holly or Morning Glory?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Morning Glory at 10'. Holly spreads 20' while Morning Glory spreads 2'.

Are Holly and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Holly and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Holly or Morning Glory?

Both Holly and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Holly	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Ilex opaca	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Aquifoliaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	shrubs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Acidic, Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	40'	10'
Spread	20'	2'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Holly and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Holly grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Holly and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Holly or Morning Glory?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Morning Glory at 10'. Holly spreads 20' while Morning Glory spreads 2'.

Are Holly and Morning Glory deer resistant?

Yes, both Holly and Morning Glory are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Holly or Morning Glory?

Both Holly and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.