Passiflora allardii

The Passiflora x allardii is a beautiful, vigorous climbing liana that offers large, highly scented white flowers tinged with pink and a lavender-blue crown from spring to autumn. This tender variety reaches 4 to 6m (13 to 20ft) in height and should be grown in a large pot on a patio or a conservatory and brought indoors when temperatures drop below a maximum of -2°C (28.4°F).

Mostly from tropical areas in South America, passionflowers belong to the large family of Passifloraceae, which includes 400 species and numerous spontaneous or horticultural hybrids.

The Passiflora allardii results from cross-breeding between P. caerulea 'Constance Elliot' (white) and P. quadrangularis (red and violet). It is a rambling plant that clings to its support using tendrils, reaching an average height of 4m (13ft). Its long stems are adorned with trilobed and shiny leaves, ranging from medium to light green, almost evergreen. It flowers from July until the beginning of autumn, with flowers measuring 12cm (5in) in diameter that constantly renew themselves on the plant. Its highly scented flowers are formed of white tepals topped with fairly elongated pale pink petals. These harmonise beautifully with the lavender-blue crown of filaments ringed with white. The stamens, on the other hand, are yellow and pale pink. The flowers are highly appreciated by pollinating insects.

This Passion Flower is not capricious and challenging to cultivate like specific orchids. It grows easily in any well-drained, light, relatively deep and not-too-dry soil in summer and flowers generously in the sun in a sheltered position. At the end of flowering, pruning consists of reducing the branches to maintain a beautiful habit. With its compact habit, P. allardii will be greatly appreciated in conservatories or greenhouses, where it will pass through cold winters without damage.