9 o’clock flowers are flowers that bloom early in the morning, typically around 9 AM. They are named as such because their petals open up at approximately 9 AM every morning. Some common examples of 9 o’clock flowers include morning glories, sunflowers, daylilies, and moonflowers. These flowers have evolved to bloom in the early hours of the day when sunlight and warmth are increasing but before the midday heat sets in. The timing of their blooms allows them to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures and lack of competition from other flowers that bloom later in the day. Additionally, many 9 o’clock flowers track the sun’s movement across the sky, a phenomenon known as heliotropism, allowing their flowers to face the sun as it rises in the east and crosses over toward the west throughout the morning.
Why do 9 o’clock flowers bloom so early?
There are a few key reasons why certain flowers have evolved to open up their petals around 9 in the morning:
- To attract pollinators – Many pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are most active in the morning hours. Opening up when these pollinators are already buzzing about improves the chances of pollination.
- To avoid heat – Blooming early allows the flowers to open their petals and collect pollen when temperatures are still relatively cool. The midday heat can cause pollen grains to dry out and become less viable.
- To utilize morning light – Sunlight is an important trigger for flower opening. The increasing light and warmth from the morning sun acts as a signal for these flowers to start blooming.
- To reduce competition – By blooming early, 9 o’clock flowers can monopolize the attention of pollinators first thing in the morning before competing flowers open up later on.
- To attract certain specialist pollinators – Some specialist pollinators, such as hawkmoths, are active early or late in the day. Blooming in the morning attracts these unique pollinating partners.
The convergence of these evolutionary pressures has led to a suite of flowers adapted to blossoming in the mid-morning hours.
Examples of common 9 o’clock flowers
Some of the most popular flowers that routinely open their petals around 9 AM include:
Morning glories
Morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) are annual vines that produce colorful trumpet-shaped flowers that usually begin to open around sunrise. They are very sensitive to light and will only fully open their blossoms when exposed to direct sunlight in the morning. Their flowers close up during the heat of the day or in cloudy weather. Morning glories come in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white. Common morning glory species include Ipomoea nil, I. purpurea, and I. tricolor.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) track the sun’s movement across the sky, a phenomenon known as heliotropism. Young buds tilt eastward in anticipation of sunrise and then twist westward during the day as the sun makes its way across the horizon. Mature flower heads usually face eastward awaiting the morning light. Sunflower petals start unfurling around sunrise and are fully open by mid-morning. The bright yellow petals are designed to attract pollinators.
Daylilies
Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) get their common name from the fact that their flowers only last a single day. The blossoms typically begin to open up in the early morning hours around 9 AM and then fade and wither by nightfall. Each daylily plant produces a succession of buds over the season that each opens for a day before perishing. Popular daylily flower colors include yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, and white.
Moonflowers
Moonflowers or night-blooming jasmine (Ipomoea alba) are nighttime bloomers that open their petals around dusk. But moonflower buds first start to unfold around 9 AM as the morning warms up in anticipation of their evening bloom. The large white flowers release their fragrance after the sun goes down which helps attract pollinating moths late into the night.
Four o’clocks
Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are named for the time of day that their flowers open up. The buds begin swelling early in the morning and the colorful trumpet-shaped blossoms start unfurling around 4 PM in the afternoon (or 4 o’clock, hence the common name). But the process begins many hours earlier, with the initial expansion of buds often starting around 9 AM.
Growing conditions for 9 o’clock flowers
Many popular 9 o’clock flowers thrive in similar conditions that promote bountiful blooms:
- Full sun – Nearly all species require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, and more is better. This stimulates prolific flowering.
- Fertile soil – Enrich the soil with compost or aged manure to provide key nutrients for growth and flowering.
- Consistent moisture – Water thoroughly at soil level and avoid moisture stress. Proper watering encourages more blooms.
- Moderate temperatures – Prefer daytime highs around 70-80°F and nighttime lows near 60°F for optimal blooming.
- Proper support – Climbing vines like morning glories need trellises, while sunflowers may need staking to stay upright when flowering.
Providing the right cultural conditions tailored to the needs of each flower will result in a bountiful display of morning blooms.
How to plant 9 o’clock flowers
From seed
Many 9 o’clock flowers like sunflowers and morning glories are easily grown from seed sown directly in the garden after any threat of frost has passed. Choose a site with full sun. Prepare a seedbed by loosening soil and mixing in compost. Sow seeds according to packet directions and lightly cover with soil. Water gently to avoid washing away seeds. Thin seedlings to proper spacing.
From transplants
Office works well when grown from young nursery-started transplants. Look for stocky, green, healthy plants without blooms, usually available from garden centers in late spring. Carefully remove plants from containers, loosen roots, and plant at same level as in the pot into well-draining soil. Water transplants regularly until established.
From bulbs
Some 9 o’clock flowers like daylilies are commonly planted as bulbs or tubers. Choose plump, firm bulbs free of mold or damage. Plant bulbs at a depth 2-3 times their height with pointed end up. Space properly apart. Water thoroughly after planting and provide ample moisture while roots establish.
Proper care for 9 o’clock flowers
To keep 9 o’clock flowers looking their best and blooming prolifically:
- Water plants 1-2 inches per week, allowing soil to dry slightly between watering. Adjust as needed based on weather and soil type.
- Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
- Stake tall flowers like sunflowers for support and to prevent damage by wind and rain.
- Pinch off spent morning glory blooms to encourage more flowering.
- Cut back daylilies to the ground after first killing frost.
- Pick sunflower blooms for bouquets in the morning when petals are open.
- Watch for common pests like Japanese beetles, aphids, and powdery mildew and treat as needed.
With proper site selection at planting and attentive care throughout the season, 9 o’clock flowers will flourish.
The role of 9 o’clock flowers in various cultures
9 o’clock flowers hold significance in cultures worldwide:
- In Victorian England, giving someone morning glories represented love in vain or mortality.
- In Chinese culture, morning glories represent love – the way the vines cling symbolizes an unwillingness to part.
- Sunflowers have symbolized adoration, loyalty, longevity, and happiness across many cultures.
- Morning glories were one of the sacred flowers of the Aztec empire and played a role in religious rituals.
- In Japan, morning glories (asagao) are fondly celebrated with summer festivals and poetry.
- Cherokee legends tell that sunflowers grew wherever the sun fell when fleeing from the moon.
- Zuni Native Americans viewed sunflowers as a symbol of harvest, fertility, and the sun’s bounty.
These are just a few examples of the rich cultural significance surrounding many common species of early morning bloomers. Their reliable morning display has inspired meaning and imagination across civilizations.
Conclusion
9 o’clock flowers have evolved a suite of adaptations that allow their blossoms to unfold in the early morning hours. This well-timed blooming provides ecological advantages and inspires both cultural traditions and practical uses across societies. A wide variety of flowers from sunflowers to daylilies routinely start opening their petals around 9 AM, hence their descriptive common name. With proper growing conditions and care that caters to their morning-blooming habit, gardeners can create dazzling early morning floral displays using 9 o’clock flowers. Their reliable dawn blossoming provides early-rising gardeners pleasant surprises and adds early color to the landscape.