Passionflowers are available in a shocking vary of colours, sizes, and shapes.
There are practically 600 identified species within the Passiflora genus and over 700 recorded cultivars, most of that are hybrids. Most are vines, however some also have a tree-like development behavior.
The ripe fruit of most cultivated species is technically edible however most of them have a bitter, unpalatable taste.
Unripe fruits and foliage include poisonous cyanic glycosides and shouldn’t be consumed.
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Many individuals within the US are most acquainted with the purple passionflower, with its purple petals and corona, topped with yellow anthers and stamens.
In Europe, growers love the similar-looking bluecrown passionflower, and it’s the preferred selection there.
However few gardeners are carefully acquainted with the purple banana passionfruit, with its lengthy fuchsia-red petals and insignificant corona.
Or what about Jamaican honeysuckle, that includes comparatively petite petals and large purple and white striped filaments that droop to embrace the stigma and anthers?
In our information to rising passionflowers, we cowl easy methods to domesticate these charming vines within the residence backyard.
When you’re all for studying about among the commonest and worthwhile species and hybrids to develop at in your panorama, preserve studying.
Until in any other case famous, species and cultivars listed beneath ought to be grown for his or her decorative worth, not for consuming.
17 of the Greatest Passionflower Varieties
Plenty of gardeners suppose they’ll’t develop passionflowers of their space as a result of the temperatures are too chilly within the winter, however there are just a few vegetation that may deal with chilly temperatures all the best way all the way down to 0°F.
Whether or not you want one thing cold-hardy or a vine to wow the neighbors – or each! – this information might help you discover it, so let’s climb proper in.
1. Blue
P. caerulea is native to South America, and it’s the nationwide flower of Paraguay.
It has been crossed with different varieties to create many beloved hybrids. The flower petals are cream-colored with blue, white, and burgundy filaments.
Blue Passionflower
You may choose up packets of P. caerulea seeds at Eden Brothers.
Among the notable hybrids and cultivars to return out of this species embrace ‘Constance Eliott,’ ‘Fairly Tina,’ ‘Snow Queen,’ ‘Susanne,’ and ‘Diva.’
2. Blue Bouquet
Hybrid ‘Blue Bouquet’ is exceptionally well-liked as a result of it options purple, virtually blue flowers with white and magenta rings on the middle.
It’s a heavy bloomer, and the 30-foot vines will probably be completely smothered in three-inch blossoms through the summer season.
Considered one of its dad and mom is P. caerulea, and it retains the same dimension and coloring.
It’s not the most suitable choice, nevertheless, for those who’re hoping to eat the fruits. They’re not very flavorful.
3. Cincinnata
P. cincinnata is a Brazil native that has deep purple flowers with only a trace of purple. The corollas are longer than the petals and have wavy edges.
Not often seen in cultivation, this species has been crossed with others to create a number of excellent hybrids, together with ‘Frizzle King,’ ‘Incense,’ ‘Liliana,’ and ‘Catherine Howard.’
4. Citrina
P. citrina was described in 1991 by American botanist John M. MacDougal. He discovered this passionflower species rising wild in Honduras.
This little man has petite yellow flowers and is often grown as a houseplant, as it will possibly flower for as much as 10 months of the 12 months.
Hybrid cultivars of this species embrace ‘Becky Pace,’ ‘Golden Jubilee,’ and ‘Polly Molly.’
5. Damsel’s Delight
Passionflower breeder extraordinaire Myles Irvine created this hybrid, although he hasn’t revealed its parentage.
It was initially known as ‘Foolish Cow’ as a time period of endearment for his pricey good friend, however he has since renamed it ‘Damsel’s Delight.’
The five-inch-wide flowers have white petals and wavy purple filaments which can be tinged with darkish purple on the middle.
No matter you name this cultivar, it’s a magnificence. Don’t choose this hybrid for those who’re aiming to develop fruits, although. It’s sterile and doesn’t set fruit.
6. Elizabeth
Lovely ‘Elizabeth’ was created by breeder Patrick Worley who hybridized P. phoenicea ‘Ruby Glow’ and P. incarnata.
It has flat, purple petals with violet and magenta coronas that twist and curl round one another. It’s a strong plant that’s coated profusely in four-inch flowers all summer season lengthy.
‘Elizabeth’ additionally has among the best-tasting fruits, that are giant and candy.
7. Gritensis
P. gritensis isn’t a typical species at nurseries, however hybrids of this Colombian native are among the prettiest choices on the market.
The flowers have big fuchsia petals with a faint white stripe alongside the midvein. The petals fold again, placing the salmon-colored corona entrance and middle.
Among the extra notable hybrids embrace ‘Anastasia,’ with salmon and white filaments, and ‘Grand Duchess,’ with extraordinary pink petals.
8. Incense
P. incarnata and P. cincinnata had been crossbred to create ‘Incense,’ a surprising purple hybrid. The corona and petals are deep purple, with lengthy, wavy filaments.
This is without doubt one of the hardiest passionflowers, and it will possibly survive temperatures all the way down to 0°F. It additionally has stunning darkish inexperienced leaves and engaging, candy fruits.
This hybrid can do all of it. No marvel it nabbed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Benefit in 1976!
If the vine is killed by chilly climate, it is going to regenerate from the roots as long as temperatures don’t drop an excessive amount of beneath 0°F.
To develop a very good crop of fruits, plant it with a purple passionflower to cross-pollinate.
9. Girl Margaret
Beautiful ‘Girl Margaret’ is a hybrid of P. coccinea and P. incarnata.
Similar to its scarlet father or mother, she has lengthy, raspberry-red petals. The corona has a shiny white middle with lengthy, wavy filaments in purple with stripes of magenta and white.
‘Girl Margaret’
Seize a plant in a four-inch pot from Emerald Goddess Backyard Retailer by way of Amazon.
10. Passionfruit
Purple granadilla (P. edulis) has a stupendous flower with frilly curled purple and white filaments over snowy white petals, and it could be price rising this species for the blossoms alone.
However the flower produces a relatively huge berry, making it top-of-the-line choices for rising edible fruit. It’s the one species identified merely as “passionfruit.”
Passionfruit
If you wish to develop your individual edible passionfruit, you’ll find vegetation in one- or three-gallon containers out there from Quick Rising Timber.
11. Perfumed
Perfumed passionflower (P. vitifolia) is known as for its closely aromatic fruit, however there’s a catch.
When the berry falls off the plant, it’s extraordinarily bitter. However left to ripen for a number of weeks, it turns into sweeter, like a tart strawberry.
The flower itself is vibrant purple with lengthy, lanceolate petals, and brief purple and white filaments that don’t open towards the petals however stay upright.
12. Purple
P. incarnata is native to North America and it’s partially chargeable for lots of the hybrids you’ll discover on the market.
It has pale purple petals and filaments with a small white ring. The filaments are crimped on the ends, giving it a wierd, alien-like look.
‘Alba’ is a pure-white hybrid that you simply would possibly like so as to add to your backyard.
Maypops, Purple Passionflower
Many instances, you’ll merely see the plant bought below the species title or below the title “maypops.”
You could find stay vegetation out there at Burpee.
13. Purple Banana
Additionally known as vanilla passionfruit, P. antioquiensis has among the largest flowers within the genus, as much as six inches throughout!
They’ve shiny fuchsia-red petals with petite purple corollas. The fruits are lengthy, inexperienced, and virtually banana-shaped.
14. Purple
The Brazilian native purple passionflower, P. racemosa, varies barely from a few of its household in that the petals are the star of the present somewhat than the filaments.
The lengthy, salmon-red petals body thick, brief, cream-colored filaments and a distinguished inexperienced anther.
Don’t confuse this species with P. manicata, which can also be known as purple passionflower. Along with sharing a typical title, they appear related.
15. Scarlet
Scarlet (generally known as purple) passionflower (P. coccinea) has lengthy, velvety, vivid purple petals and white and blood-red filaments. The flowers could be as much as 4 inches throughout.
That is one species that doesn’t thoughts partial solar. You’ll nonetheless have a vibrant present of blooms, even with out full solar publicity.
P. coccinea, Scarlet Passionflower
You could find P. coccinea vegetation in three-gallon pots out there at Quick Rising Timber.
Notable hybrids embrace ‘Cordelia,’ ‘Scorching Shot,’ ‘Sherry,’ and ‘Wil.’
16. Stinking
The stinking passionflower (P. foetida) solely stinks for those who disturb the flowers, so don’t fear about turning your yard right into a fetid spot that nobody desires to hang around in.
The dangerous information is that this plant has change into invasive in tropical areas throughout the planet. Nonetheless, for those who can preserve it below management (strive container planting!), it’s a worthwhile species to have round.
It has superbly rounded, white petals and white filaments with a hoop of maroon on the middle.
‘Alba’ and ‘Aurora’ are two standout hybrids.
17. Winged-Stem
Winged-stem passionflower (P. alata) is distinct from its cousins in that it has shiny purple petals and purple and white corona filaments, however the filaments don’t open totally.
As an alternative, they keep considerably closed across the anthers.
It’s exceptionally aromatic and the fruits are thought to be among the finest tasting of the entire genus.
‘Frederic,’ ‘Nicole,’ ‘Starlight,’ and ‘Superba’ all come out of this species.
A Plethora of Choices
After I first noticed a purple passionflower vine at a nursery, I stood there a bit stumped. Who knew there was one thing out there aside from the acquainted purple flower? Now, you and I do!
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for uncommon fruits, huge flowers, or a vine that may stick round even when the climate is freezing, one on this record goes to fill the invoice. Tell us within the feedback beneath which you find yourself rising!
If you wish to study extra concerning the stunning, daring passionflower, take a look at a few of our different guides subsequent, beginning with these:
© Ask the Consultants, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for extra particulars. Initially printed April 21, 2022. Final up to date June 11, 2026. Product photographs by way of Burpee, Eden Brothers, Emerald Goddess Backyard Retailer, and Quick Rising Timber. Uncredited photographs: Shutterstock.
