There are about 400 species of passionfruit. Many passionflower plants are ornamental, tendrilled climbers, some produce delicious fruit. Most require warm-temperate to tropical conditions. Deciduous in colder areas, it can survive occasional winter freezes.
A common wild flower in the southern United States, it was used as a tonic by Native Americans, and it was first noted by a Western doctor in 1783. The leaves are palmately divided with 3 to 5 smooth, textured, pointed lobes with serrated margins. The fragrant large flowers are lavender-coloured, with a white centre and a deeper purple, thread like corona. The fruits, ovoid yellow berries when ripe, are about 5cm long.
It prefers a light, acidic soil and a warm, sunny position. In cooler areas it is an excellent greenhouse plant. Sow passion flower seed in spring when the soil has warmed. Or propagate by semi-ripe stem cuttings in summer, or by layering. Provide a trellis or other support, and mulch plants well. Shape and prune the vine as necessary in spring.
Pick the fruits at the ‘dropping’ stage. The seeds and the pulp of ripe fruits have a tangy flavour, and are eaten raw or used in fruit salads and other desserts, curds, jams, jellies and fruit drinks. The popular cocktail called the Hurricane is made with passionfruit syrup, rum and lime juice.
information sourced from The Complete Book of Herbs
What I blogged:
- one year ago – apple cider mackerel with horseradish mash
- two years ago – gurnards with mushrooms and peas
I remember having these in our garden in England. Haven’t seen them for years.
I have one plant in my garden but it is in the wrong place and the wind keeps on taking the flowers before they can fruit 🙂
We used to grow them in Johannesburg. I love the taste of granadillas.
me too AD 🙂
I haven’t seen them that purple beforeretty
I wish I could take a photo of mine as they are usually very pale 🙂
Thanks for this informative post – Passionfruit is a favourite 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
one of mine too CCU 🙂
The flowers are very beautiful, aren’t they?
very, I just wish mine would flower more 🙂
Very pretty flower!
it is indeed 🙂
I looove passionfruit.
I didn’t know there was a cocktail with it in there. Rum as well? Well… I think I need to try that now don’t I 🙂
I have had one of the hurricane cocktails and I slept like a baby afterwards!
This is a beautiful plant that I enjoyed growing when we lived in Florida.
I am going to plant more soon 🙂
I love the passion fruit but I had no idea the flower was so beautiful as well. Take care, BAM
It is a really pretty flower 🙂
What a beautiful flower, I say! I have never seen them before though!
Thanks for the tips how to use passionfruit too! 🙂
the look so pretty on the vine 🙂
Beautiful Tandy, I love having them in the garden, even if the fruit never ripen this far north !! And now I’m off to check out that mackerel recipe you linked to from a year ago 🙂
it is a pity they don’t ripen as they are lovely to grow 🙂