Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea

Blue passion flower

  •  Position: full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: moist but well-drained soil
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Height: 8-10m
  • Foliage: deciduous
  • Hardiness: needs protection in cold areas

Passiflora caerulea ( blue passion flower).  A fast-growing, semi-evergreen climber with pretty, exotic looking flowers and attractive, dark green, deeply lobed leaves.

Passiflora caerula can quickly cover a fence, wall or trellis and performs best in a warm, sunny position where it is sheltered from cold winds.

Varieties

Passiflora caerulea

Passiflora caerulea produces large, white flowers with purple and blue filaments, followed by orange-yellow fruit in a hot summer. The fruit is edible. Expect a height of about 8m.

Passiflora caerulea ‘Constance Elliot’

There is also a lovely white version. Passiflora caerulea ‘Constance Elliot’ bears pure, white flowers with striking, creamy-white filaments.

Pruning

Pruning Passiflora caerulea (Blue passion flower). The long flowered stems may be flapping in the autumn winds. If necessary, shorten these shoots after flowering to avoid wind damage.

Remove dead or frost-damaged stems. Cut them back to about 50-70cm above ground level. Shorten shoots to fit the available space. Carry out pruning in March when the danger of frost has passed.

Passiflora caerula
The foliage of passion flower in winter    The foliage of passion flower  in summer

Care

Although Passiflora caerulea is a self-clinging, tendril climber, it needs support to grow well. Provide support, such as a trellis.

Overwinter

How to overwinter  blue passion flower. Needs protection in cold areas. May suffer foliage damage or may lose all of its leaves in harsh winter weather.

Cover the base of the plant with a thick layer of dry mulch to reduce frost penetration.

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