Passiflora incarnata- Passion Flower

The official passionflower, in Latin Passiflora incarnata, is none other than the 'Maypop' passion flower that is known more for its medicinal properties than its ornamental qualities. However, it is a charming little vine and hardy enough to be grown in the ground in many regions that are not too cold. It is a perennial species with a self-pollinating stump, an annual plant in cold climates, whose lovely pale purple flowers crowned with long purple filaments are very pleasantly scented. They bloom from summer to autumn and give way to green to yellow edible fruits with a pleasant flavour, in the presence of another plant. The official passionflower thrives in well-drained soil that is not too dry, requires heat in summer to bloom, and a soil that is not too wet in winter.

Mostly native to the tropical areas of South America, passionflowers belong to the large family of passionflowers, which includes 400 species and numerous spontaneous or horticultural hybrids. The Passiflora incarnata is a wild species native to the southeastern United States of America and Mexico.

This voluble plant clings to its support using tendrils, and can reach a height of 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet) in one season. It is characterized by its herbaceous stems, almost entirely glabrous, which disappear after the first frost. They are adorned with glabrous leaves, 8-12 cm (3-5in) long by 7-11 cm (3-4in) wide, divided into 3 elliptical lanceolate lobes, thick, with dentate margins, dark green on the upper surface, paler underneath, strictly deciduous when it freezes.

Its flowering period extends from summer to autumn, sometimes until December in favourable climates. It consists of flowers measuring 5 to 9 cm (2 to 4in) in diameter that are constantly renewed on the plant. Its pleasantly fragrant flowers are pale purple in colour. The frilly filaments of the crown are a slightly brighter purple, striped with white and blue-violet near the centre. The centre of the flower is occupied by 5 stamens with orange anthers and 3 white styles, united at the base. The unusual, ephemeral shape of the flower evolves: petals and sepals curl up, while the filaments of the crown fold and then straighten out to avoid self-pollination. Once pollinated by another passionflower, the flowers give way to edible ovoid fruits that are green-yellow when ripe, measuring 5 cm (2in) long. The pulp is tasty and fragrant.

This Passion Flower, whose stump is hardy down to -10/-12°C (14/10.4°F), is a voluble vine that is otherwise undemanding in terms of soil. Pruning at the end of flowering, consists of cutting the plant back near the ground in late winter if the stems have frozen. With its height of 3-4 m (10-13ft) and its fragrant and exotic flowering, the official passionflower can be used to cover walls, fences, trellises, porches, and pergolas, preferably paired with an evergreen vine that ensures a permanent winter display (Clematis cirrhosa, Hardenbergia violacea, Pileostegia viburnoides). It can also be planted against a persistent or deciduous hedge, adding a lot of originality to the summer display. It is also highly appreciated in verandas, where it will withstand cold winters without damage. There is nothing to prevent you from tasting its fruits out of curiosity or greed!