Passion flower has a wide range of colors and species, so in today’s article you’ll be taking a close look at Passiflora vitifolia or the red passion flower. Actually, several different ones with the common name of “red” do exist and you could get an idea of ranges by visiting this site. The vitifolia species is the one pictured above, and it like many of the species in the Passiflora genus are the sole hosts to the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar. So, not only do you get complex and fascinating beauty from the flowers of the passion vine, but you also get to play spectator to the colorful and acrobatic movements of the majestically adorned Gulf Fritillary, which is also known as the Passion Butterfly.
The passion flower has leaves similar in appearance and texture to those of a grapevine. This foliage provides nourishment to the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar, but fortunately, they usually do not consume the entire leaf. Still, you will be able to detect their presence when small holes begin appearing in the leaves, and the spiny-looking caterpillars are usually on the underside of the leaf. They turn bright orange as they mature which is a good warning to potential predators of their poisonous nature. Soon, the not-so-ugly caterpillars will transform into their very beautiful butterfly selves, and a single passion flower vine will usually provide you with lots of butterflies to enjoy, even at this time of year.
The passion flower vine can grow to about 12 feet in width and height in the right conditions. It is somewhat tolerant of drought, but is usually not as forgiving of overwatering. It needs full sun for maximum blooms, but if you have to put it in a spot that doesn’t get sun all day, then be sure to plant it where it gets the afternoon sun as opposed to just morning sun. The flowers are amazingly complex, bold, and colorful and have a mild aromatic presence, and the passion flower vine will deliver lots of them from spring through fall. While it is officially an evergreen it will lose its leaves in cooler climates. Some folks have said it is root hardy to Zone 7a, but I am a little skeptical about that after reading some comments from those who have personal experience with them. Nonetheless, here in Houston, it usually survives our winters just fine, despite some foliage loss.
My first introduction to passion flower was a purple variety which is more common in this area. Actually, it is so common that my first discovery of it came while walking past an undeveloped commercial lot, where I found it growing wild all over. I have read that some parts of the plant can be poisonous if ingested and this site said that “Passion flower should be avoided while pregnant. Passion flower contains compounds which may affect the uterus.” So, please be aware of those things if you are considering one for your garden.
You can see more photos of the beautiful Gulf Fritillary here. You can also find out more about the butterfly here. The Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute (SASI) also has an interesting, enjoyable article about one person’s experience of discovery with the Gulf Fritillary that I would highly recommend.
Well, here’s hoping you are finding a way to stay dry and still enjoy the garden on this very soggy day in Houston. The same goes for everyone regardless of where you are and what the climate is like. Happy gardening and happy garden viewing.
As always, feel free to contact me directly via email at gregshelley@comcast.net. Thanks for reading!
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