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.
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.