Passiflora Caerulea

Description

Passiflora caerulea – blue passion flower

Botanical name: Passiflora caerulea
Common names: Blue passion flower, common passion flower
Family: Passifloraceae
Plant type: Semi-evergreen climber
Habit: Vigorous, tendril-climbing
Pot size: As supplied
Eventual size: Approx. 4–10m tall × 2–3m spread
Foliage: Deeply lobed green leaves; semi-evergreen, may lose leaves in cold winters
Flowers: Exotic blue-and-white flowers with an intricate central structure, all summer (June–September), followed by orange egg-shaped fruits
Scent: Lightly scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy, to about −10°C); may die back in cold winters and reshoot from the base; USDA zones 7–10
Exposure: Warm, sheltered, sunny
Native range: South America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Mildly toxic; the foliage and unripe fruit contain compounds that can cause stomach upset if eaten by people or pets

Passiflora caerulea, blue passion flower, is a vigorous semi-evergreen climber with exotic blue-and-white flowers all summer followed by orange fruits. Ideal trained against a warm, sunny, sheltered wall or fence.

GardenAdvice notes

A vigorous, exotic-looking climber from South America, the blue passion flower produces an astonishing succession of intricate blue-and-white flowers all summer, followed by ornamental orange fruits. It climbs by tendrils and is the hardiest passion flower, though in cold gardens it may be cut back by frost and reshoot from the base in spring.

Growing & planting

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, against a warm, sheltered wall or fence which gives it the heat and protection it needs. Provide a support such as wires or trellis for its tendrils to grip. Keep the roots in a warm, well-drained spot. In cold areas, mulch the base in winter to protect the crown.

Care & maintenance

Water well while establishing and in dry spells. Prune in spring, cutting back frost-damaged growth and shortening stems to keep it within bounds and maintain a good framework — it flowers on new growth. Feed and mulch in spring. Tie in and redirect vigorous new growth through the season.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring in warmth.
• Layering: Peg down stems to root, then detach.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free outdoors, though cucumber mosaic virus can distort growth, and red spider mite may be a problem under glass. In cold gardens the main issue is winter dieback, from which it usually recovers.

Uses in the garden

Superb trained against a warm, sunny wall or fence, over a sturdy trellis or pergola, where its exotic flowers can be admired all summer. Best given the warmest, most sheltered spot in the garden.

Wildlife value

The nectar- and pollen-rich flowers are very attractive to bees, and the fruits can be taken by birds.

Toxicity & safety

Blue passion flower is mildly toxic: the foliage and unripe fruit contain compounds that can cause stomach upset if eaten by people or pets. Discourage children and pets from eating any part.

GardenAdvice tip

Give the passion flower the warmest, most sheltered, sunniest wall you have — it is the hardiest of its kind but still appreciates all the heat it can get, and a good spot means more of those extraordinary flowers. Don’t panic if a hard winter cuts it to the ground; simply tidy away the dead growth in spring and it usually bounces back from the base.

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