Passiflora incarnata – Passion Flower, Maypop

Description

Passion Flower is a vigorous climbing vine with large lobed foliage that is semi-evergreen in warmer climates.  The unusual purple and white flowers are white with disk of filaments and tentacle-like projections bloom from late spring to mid summer.  Following the flowers are egg-sized fruits that make a popping sound when stepped on.  Grows best with support in 
full sun 
and well-drained soils.  Humidity tolerant but very flammable.

Passiflora incarnata is a host for several species: Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Heliconian.  The flowers attract many pollinators and the fruits bring in songbirds and small mammals.Learn more about planting for butterflies with Georgia natives with this brochure.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Water regularly.  Flowers on new growth, so prune in early spring.  Keep soils warm but on the dry side in winter.  Caterpillars will readily devour healthy foliage.  Otherwise, various pests are common but cause minimal damage.

 
LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Rock Gardens, Groundcover, Walls and trellises, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Clematis, Rudbeckia, Coneflower

IMAGES: H. Zell, Passiflora incarnata 002, CC BY-SA 3.0, H. Zell, Passiflora incarnata 001, CC BY-SA 3.0, (3) H. Zell, Passiflora incarnata 003, CC BY-SA 3.0, (4) H. Zell, Passiflora incarnata 004, CC BY-SA 3.0 

 *As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.