Passiflora caerulea
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BLUE PASSION FLOWER
Family: Passifloraceae
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Brazil and Argentina.
Plant Group:
Vines.
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Mature size: Height: 30 feet (9 m). Width: 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m).
Flowering period: Summer to autumn.
Flowering attributes: White, bowl-shaped, fragrant, flowers with blue, purple and white coronas.
Leaf attributes: Deep green, glossy leaves divided almost to the base with usually 5 lobes.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Feeding: In spring, top dress with a complete organic fertilizer, and composted manure or compost.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed and keep at 55-75°F (18-23°C), germination should occur rapidly. If germination has not occurred within 4 weeks, place seed trays where temperatures are 25-40°F (-3 to 4°C) for up to 4 weeks. | Layer branches in late winter. | Basal and softwood cuttings in spring. | Division in spring. | Semi-ripe cuttings in early summer.
Pruning Methods: Lightly prune in spring taking a few stems down to the base.
Rainy Side Notes
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When I lived in Hawaii I used to go hiking on trails where the passionflowers grew. Many species are naturalized in Hawaii and I can remember picking the fruits and making pies from them, although not the same species as P. caerulea. Now that I grow it in the Pacific Northwest, for me the flowers evoke the feeling of being in a tropical rain forest. Unfortunately with our climate we don't get any fruit. The plus side is the plant does not pose any danger of naturalizing and taking over our temperate rain forests.
In my garden the vine is evergreen most winters. The winter of 2003-04 was cold enough to kill it back to the ground. It is a fast growing vine and it quickly recovered. passionflower is best grown against a south-facing wall in the colder parts of our region. The fragrant flowers are welcome in the garden during fall when other flowers are fading away. This vine is growing on a large fuchsia bush even though the vine is supposed to be growing up an arbor. It definitely has a mind of its own and doesn't appear to be satisfied with swamping the poor fuchsia. The vine is now reaching for a Cornus capitata tree growing nearby.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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