Passiflora – Passion Vine – Trellis

We’ve seen the introduction over the last few years of new vines and color offerings for spring. If you’re ready to add a conversation plant and something really unique to the outside patio, take a look at the Passiflora also known as the “passion vine”.

These exotic flowers have been symbolized with the crucifixion and sometimes look like they resemble something from outer space. There are dozens of passion vines, both edible and non edible. Our focus will be on the ornamental variety.

The purple passion fruit makes its home from southern Brazil through Paraguay and in parts northern Argentina. Before 1900, the purple passion fruit was partially naturalized and flourishing in coastal areas of Australia. Seeds of the purple passion fruit, were brought from Australia to Hawaii and first planted in 1880. It wasn’t long, because of its fast growing nature that the passiflora vine became popular in home gardens.

The passion vine prefers a frost-free climate. There are some cultivars that can take temperatures into the upper 20′s (F) without serious damage. The “Blue Passion Vine” is pretty cold hardy and salt tolerant but the plant does not grow well in intense summer heat. The yellow passion fruit is tropical and isn’t fond of frost. The purple and yellow forms both need protection from the wind.

They make quite a few products from the plant and fruit – Like tea.

Another interesting item about the Passiflora is that they are very popular with butterflies.

Culture

Location

Care for the passion fruit vines requires full sun except during those very hot summer days, if possible provide some partial shade. The vine is a fast grower and can get out of hand, so if possible plant it next to a chain link fence or on a trellis.

Water & Soil

Passion fruit vines grow in many soil types but make sure that the plant gets excellent drainage. If you want to keep the vines flowering almost continuously, regular water is necessary. The vines are shallow-rooted, and will benefit from a thick layer of organic mulch.

Fertilizer

Passiflora vines are vigorous growers and require regular fertilizing. Stay away from just using a 20-20-20 liquid food. This may promote good growth but possibly too much green and not enough flower. Use a fertilizer with a ratio more along the lines of a 2-1-3.

Always remember when buying plants…

• Find out when your nursery receives new shipments
• Look for clean undamaged foliage
• Inspect the plants for good root systems
• Don’t let them hang out the window on the ride home
• Don’t let them sit in the car while you run into the store.
• They must acclimate to their new environment

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