Passiflora edulis
edible-fruited passion flower
1.5lt pot 60cm cane
available to order from spring
This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil or large pots filled with loam-based compost
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: June to August
- Hardiness: tender (must have winter protection)
Not just producing an abundance of delicious fruits, (which cost a bomb in the supermarkets), this fast-growing climber is also highly ornamental. It's laden with large, toothed leaves throughout the year (if kept warm enough), and then in summer, spectacular white flowers appear, each ringed with purple. Later, the edible yellow or purple-black fruits start developing, growing to around 5cm in length, and often going wrinkly before they are ready to pick. A native of tropical and sub-tropical regions in Brazil, it will be happiest when trained against a very sheltered, south-facing wall - or grown in a large pot and kept in a conservatory or greenhouse. - Garden care: Water freely during the growing season, but cut back a little in winter. Keep frost free in winter (they prefer temperatures no lower than 10°C) and remove dead, misplaced or overcrowded stems in spring.
