Star of Yelta

Star of Yelta is a cultivar of I. purpurea. It is often confused with Grampa Ott's (see below).

I planted these along the front fence further down from the Oak Tree meaning they get full sun from 8AM till 7:30PM. Other cultivars of I. purpurea have done very well in this area.

I have 10 of these vines planted in a row. I'll certainly be collecting seeds and replanting Star of Yelta next year. It did not start blooming until several weeks after my other vines showed blooms. But now it is out performing them all! There are well over a hundred blooms every morning!

HISTORY:

These photos do not do the plant justice. The blooms are much more purple and vibrant than they appear in these photos.

It is hard to tell the difference between Star of Yelta (LEFT) and Grampa Ott's. They are the same species, Ipomoea purpurea and have very similar blooms. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the blooms.

Other than the obvious difference in size, the Grampa Ott's is a little darker purple although it is difficult to see in this photo. Also, the Star of Yelta seems to take on a reddish cast later in the morning as the blooms start to wilt.

I have many more pictures of for comparison.

The leaves and stems of my Star of Yelta are much bigger and lusher than my Grampa Ott's. But this, along with the difference in bloom size and color may or may not be due to the difference in the sun and soil for where they are planted. My Star of Yelta is planted in rich soil whereas my Grampa Ott's are planted in clay.

There is also a cultivar called "President Tyler" that is supposed to be easily confused with Star of Yelta and Grampa Ott's but I have never seen an example outside of photos such as these.