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Exotic Climbers.
It's easy to understand why this plant is called a passion flower. It is so romantic, with exotic flowers and beautiful form!
Many have shied away from growing these wonderful specimens largely because they look as if they must be difficult to grow and because they are not fully hardy.
My thoughts on these wonderful plants changed several years ago, when I found friends and clients who had planted a one in their gardens, not knowing much about them (ignorance is bliss!) and they had survived even the most severe winters. But why should this be so?
Well, first of all they are not particularly difficult to grow but it is the placement that is the important factor. Grown against a south or west facing sunny wall, pergola trellis or fence, they will live happily for many years - in other words they need protection from cold winds, damp, and frosty weather.
Because our winters have been so much warmer of late, plants that would otherwise have been killed are being grown successfully in many gardens. However, it is still important to buy the correct variety of passion flower if it going to have any chance of living.
The type of passion flower that will survive our winters is the 'Passiflora caerulea' - the blue/common variety and one called 'Constance Elliot', which is a creamy, white variety. Another variety that is frost-hardy is 'Eden', which is deeper in colour.
These varieties will survive temperatures down to -7 degrees. Many others that you see will die at temperatures below 7 degrees, so check carefully before you buy.
Click the link to see these plants:
If you would really like one of these plants, follow the advice and see how it goes. Remember - correct placement is the key.
Grow With Other Climbers
If you would like to group your climbing plants for added impact, you may like to explore the link below. Choose your plants to suit the situation and your tastes. Be bold - create a masterpiece!
Pruning.
Aim to build a framework of about 5 of the strongest shoots, and cut back flowering shoots, immediately after flowering, to 2-3 buds from the base.
In Spring, remove dead or overcrowded stems.
Easy really!
