Passiflora Amethyst White- Passion Flower

The Passiflora 'Amethyst Blanche' is a white variant of the timeless 'Amethyst Violacea' (possibly the oldest known horticultural hybrid among passionflowers!). Like its cousin with purple tones, it will thrive in mild climate gardens, where it will be universally appreciated for its robustness and good cold resistance. This pretty vine is not lacking in vigor or brilliance when its medium-sized flowers appear, with white petals tinged with violet that contrast deliciously with its lime green stamens. Slightly or not fragrant, occasionally producing hollow fruits, they bloom from June to October on a foliage cut into dark green lobes, more or less evergreen. Plant it in a sunny, sheltered position with loose and deep soil. Guaranteed success, in the garden as well as on the terrace!

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

The Passiflora (x) Violacea is an old horticultural hybrid obtained in 1824 by Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, a French botanist and nurseryman. This variety originated from the cross-breeding of P. caerulea, native to South America and naturalized in the South of France, and P. racemosa, Brazilian, with purple flowers in racemes. This excellent variety has received an Award of Garden Merit, a distinction awarded in England by the RHS for its ornamental qualities and ease of cultivation.

'Amethyst Blanche' is a voluble plant with evergreen stems that clings to its support using tendrils, reaching a height of 4m (13ft) and spreading over 3m (10ft). It is characterized by its quadrangular stems covered with leaves cut into 3 to 5 thick, ovate lobes, of a shiny dark green color, sometimes washed with coppery reflections, more or less evergreen. Its flowering extends from summer to early autumn, in the form of 5-6cm (2in) diameter flowers that constantly renew themselves on the plant, more abundantly in full sun. Its flowers, slightly fragrant, are formed by white petals. The heart of stamens is lime green and its filaments are of a beautiful intense dark violet. The unusual shape of the flower, quite ephemeral, evolves: petals and sepals curl, while the crown of filaments folds and then straightens up, in order to avoid self-pollination. Once pollinated, the flowers give way to rare oval and orange fruits, measuring from 5 to 6cm (2in) long. These fruits are often hollow.

This Passion Flower is not a capricious and difficult plant to cultivate like some orchids. It grows easily in any well-drained, light, fairly deep and not too dry soil in summer, and blooms generously in sunny and sheltered locations. Pruning, at the end of flowering, consists of reducing the branches to maintain a beautiful habit. It thrives in all southern and Atlantic regions. With its height of 4 to 5m (13 to 16ft) and its generous exotic flowering, the Passiflora Violacea is a wonderful plant to dress up walls, fences, trellises, porches, or to weave into a hedge. It is also highly appreciated in verandas where it will survive cold winters without damage. Enthusiasts of exotic vines will also cultivate alongside it the Podranea ricasoliana (pink trumpet vine) and the Mandevilla laxa, with large white and fragrant flowers. All three can withstand short freezes of around -8°C (17.6°F) without weakening.