Collection of two Passiflores

A duo of the most hardy passionflowers, which bloom for months, from summer until the first frosts. These exuberant climbers have more or less evergreen foliage and offer extraordinary lightly scented flowers. They are pale blue in the case of the species Passiflora caerulea, but ivory white in the case of its lovely variety Constance Elliott, which is also slightly less vigorous. These two passionflowers will quickly cover a wire fence, a pergola, or take over a slightly sad old hedge...

This duo consists of one Passiflora caerulea and one Passiflora 'Constance Elliott'.

Passiflora caerulea belongs to the Passifloraceae family, which includes around 400 species of more or less evergreen climbers, mostly native to tropical regions of South America. This botanical species stands out for its good hardiness (-12°C for a mature plant), and resistance to summer drought. Not demanding in terms of soil, it can adapt to any well-drained and sufficiently deep soil, whether acidic, neutral or alkaline. It is practically evergreen in the southern Europe, but will lose its foliage and its stems may be frozen in winter further north. It can be grown in the ground there as long as it is south- or west-facing and mulched in winter. Its robust stump will then produce new vigorous shoots in spring.

The long flexible and angular stems of the blue passionflower reach a length of 5 to 7 m, their growth is very rapid in fertile and moist soil, and the plant has a deep root system. The green branches of this climber cling to any support through very strong tendrils and are adorned with thick, large leaves measuring 6-8 cm, divided into 5 palmate lobes, and dark green in colour. Its lightly scented flowering is continuous, from June-July until the first frosts. The large flowers, 7-8 cm in diameter, consist of 3 large oval bracts, pale green in colour, topped by 5 petals, themselves topped by a double crown of filaments. In the centre of the flower, there is a column (the pistil) surrounded by 5 stamens ending in small 'hammers'. The scent of the flowers is tangy and sweet, and they are highly visited by pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by ovoid and soft fruits the size of a small egg, and orange in colour. When raw and still green, the fruit, which contains cyanide, is toxic. Under a thick skin, the seeds are hidden in a reddish pulp which is not very juicy or tasty. Some birds consume them and thus contribute to the plant's dispersal in the garden.

Commonly planted in old gardens with mild climates, the blue passionflower is a vigorous climbing plant that grows without assistance or watering and is fairly resistant to cold once established. It works wonders on wire fences or when allowed to conquer an old tree. For example, you can combine it with a Chinese wisteria, a terniflora clematis, or a Polygonum aubertii: these are all equally vigorous climbers that will keep it in check while extending the flowering period of a large fence or pergola.