Passiflora alata (F)
winged-stem passion flower
An evergreen climber to 6m or more, with 4-winged stems and large 3-lobed rich green leaves. Fragrant flowers to 12cm across, are bowl-shaped, with spreading red tepals and corona banded with purple and white, followed by edible yellow fruit 12cm long
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Red | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Red | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | Yellow | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Passifloraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Genus
Passiflora are mostly tender tendril-climbing shrubs, with simple or palmately-lobed, generally evergreen leaves and showy flowers of distinctive structure with often colourful coronal filaments, followed by conspicuous fruits, edible in some species
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Peru & Brazil
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No. 3 in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely when in growth and sparingly in winter. Best grown under cover and kept frost free. See passion flower cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13 to 18°C in spring or root semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Layering can be carried out in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pruning group 11 or pruning group 12 in early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a virus
Get involved
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