The passion flower, Passiflora incarnata, is not, to my knowledge, grown outdoors in New England as a perennial vine.
However, it seems possible that this luxuriantly growing plant may be cultivated in the southern New England area and similar climates in sheltered and selected places.
Passion Flower Rooted Cuttings
Three rooted cuttings of this plant were secured from Tennessee in the late summer of 1995 and immediately potted in clay-like soil in 8″ inches azalea pots.
One of the cuttings grew a few inches and was carried over the winter in a south window in the house. It made only about 2 feet of spindly growth during this period.
The following May, it was removed from the pot and set out in the medium to heavy soil close to the house in a perennial border with protected southern exposure.
In this environment, during the summer, it sent up several shoots which grew about five feet and produced a few of the beautiful, frilly lavender blossoms.
In late September, part of the now well-established vine was placed in a wooden tub and brought indoors for fear of being Winter-killed. However, it thrived better this second winter and grew about four feet up an indoor trellis.
In The Spring Of 97
The plant was again set out on the same border a few feet from the original location. As the season progressed, we were surprised to find that shoots were coming up from the original plant, which had wintered over without a protecting mulch.
During the summer, the plants produced luxuriant semi-glossy foliage; from mid-July to mid-August, a dozen blossoms were produced. Unfortunately, none of the fruit, commonly known in the South as maypop, developed.
During Severe Winter
During the following severe winter, the plants which remained outdoors under the protection of straw survived and produced a very luxuriant growth during the spring and summer of 1998.
The plants completely covered the 6-foot trellis and extended their growth several feet beyond, clinging to the house’s blinds. About 20 blossoms were produced.
The mild winter and extremely hot summer of 1999 gave added impetus to the passion flower, and it thrived and spread and blossomed profusely without water when many other plants were wilting.
Whether it becomes a pest in the perennial border time only will tell, but from present indications, it would seem wiser to have set out this plant where it would not compete with the flower border.
Worthwhile And Attractive Vine
As an attractive vine, I can heartily recommend it, as the leaves are well-shaped, with their three lobes and shiny texture. As an unusual flowering plant, it is certainly worthwhile.
The solitary flowers are produced from mid-July to mid-August and are bound to attract attention with their unique fragrance and unusual form.
Usually about 2″ inches in diameter, the blossom consists of 10 light lavender petals and threadlike dark purple filaments radiating from the center.
On the vine, the flower lasts only a day but is kept in water during the day, and in the refrigerator at night, the cut blossom may be kept for several days.
Symbol Of The Passion Of Christ
The legend associated with this flower is an added attraction. The early Spanish and Italian travelers who saw this plant in South America imagined that the flower was a symbol of the passion of Christ.
The 10 petals were thought to represent the 10 apostles who were present at the crucifixion, Peter and Judas being absent.
The filaments represented the crown of thorns or a halo. The five stamens suggested the five wounds, and three styles the three nails.
The three-lobed leaves symbolized, to some, the hands of the persecutors and, to others, the Trinity.
The long axillary coiling tendrils represented the cords or the scourges. Thus, down the ages, this association has persisted and really does add something of interest to the other advantages of the passion flower as a vine.
Protecting The Plant
Bailey suggests that with protection, this plant will survive the winter as far north as Baltimore, but we can go farther than that and grow it beside a building as far north as the central Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts.
It can be propagated here with some difficult front stem cuttings but is more easily propagated by division.
44659 by M Shaub