From vivid purples to fiery reds, passion flowers are nature’s drama queens. With wild shapes and hypnotic colors, these climbing beauties don’t just grow—they perform.
Passion flowers (Passiflora spp.) are nature’s show-offs—in the best possible way. With over 500 species and hybrids, these vines are beloved for their wild, intricate flowers and vigorous climbing habit. Whether you want fruit, flowers, or both, there’s a passion flower for your garden, patio, or conservatory.
A garden icon, Passiflora caerulea stuns with its mesmerizing blooms—white petals surrounded by a dazzling halo of blue, violet, and white filaments that look straight out of a science fiction novel. Each flower can reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) across and is followed by bright orange egg-sized fruits. While the fruit is edible, it’s more ornamental than delicious. This vigorous vine is ideal for covering fences, arches, or trellises and draws in bees, butterflies, and curious glances.
Looking for a passion flower that combines bold beauty with elegance? Meet ‘Anastasia’—a knockout hybrid with stunning deep pink blooms that look like tropical waterlilies. Each flower spans 4 inches (10 cm) and flaunts red filaments tipped in white, plus a sultry red center that practically glows. These lightly scented beauties bloom profusely from late spring through fall.
The foliage? A rich, deep blue-green—perfect for setting off those vivid blossoms. ‘Anastasia’ isn’t just gorgeous; it’s a compact climber ideal for small spaces, containers, or letting spill from a hanging basket. Give it a cozy spot in a conservatory, warm patio, or sheltered terrace and let it work its magic.
If you’re into bold flowers and knockout fragrance, Fragrant granadilla is a must-have. This Amazonian stunner grows like crazy and puts on a spectacular show with large, crimson blooms that smell like lemon candy. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous—deep red petals with wild, curly filaments striped in purple, white, and blue.
It’s not just about looks though—the fruit is sweet, tropical, and totally edible. In Brazil, it’s grown commercially just for that! Whether you’re filling your greenhouse with scent or looking for a tasty, tropical treat, this one’s got you covered. Give it full sun, some space to climb, and you’re golden.
Want to turn up the color in your garden? ‘Scarlet Flame’ lives up to its fiery name with blazing red blooms that practically glow. These big, tropical stunners (up to 5 inches wide!) are hummingbird magnets and put on a nonstop show from early summer into fall. The three-lobed, grape-like leaves add to the exotic vibe, and yes—they’re where the “vitifolia” name comes from (like “viticulture”).
This vine is a bit of a show-off, and we love it for that. While it prefers tropical conditions, you can still enjoy it in containers or conservatories if you’re in a cooler zone. The fruit? Edible, but pretty tart unless you let it fully ripen—then you get a subtle, strawberry-like flavor. Whether it’s climbing a pergola or spilling from a tall pot, this one brings tropical drama wherever it grows.
Meet the dreamy diva of the passion flower world—’Lavender Lady’. This vigorous hybrid stuns with dusky lavender-to-deep-purple petals and a dramatic crown of violet filaments. Each 4-inch bloom shows off like a floral firework, surrounding a ring of white and green that practically glows. She’s a true performer, flowering from spring through fall and even longer in mild climates.
While the fruit is mostly hollow and not super tasty, this vine more than earns its keep with sheer flower power. It’s perfect for trellises, fences, arbors, or a big pot on the patio. Just give her some sun and something to climb, and you’re in for a long-running floral show.
Tough, wild, and incredibly charming— Maypop is your go-to passion flower for no-fuss, cold-hardy gardening. Native to the southeastern U.S., this vine explodes with intricate lavender-purple blooms from midsummer through fall. The flowers are fragrant, complex, and a total hit with pollinators. Come summer, it produces egg-shaped fruits (aka “maypops”) that are edible, sweet-tart, and packed with seeds.
It dies back in winter but pops right back up from its roots in spring, making it perfect for colder zones. Whether climbing fences or scrambling through wildflower borders, it brings a bit of wild beauty—and edible bonus—to your garden.
Want to turn up the heat in your garden? Passiflora coccinea delivers in fiery style. With its bold scarlet-red petals and vibrant filaments in shades of yellow, purple, and white, this tropical beauty looks like it came straight out of the rainforest—and it pretty much did! Native to South America’s Amazon basin, this evergreen climber brings major drama to greenhouses, patios, or warm-climate gardens.
Its blooms may last just a day, but don’t worry—it puts on an ongoing floral parade from summer through fall. The lush green foliage makes the perfect backdrop, and it’s a magnet for pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardiness |
6 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Passifloraceae |
Genus | Passiflora |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Patio And Containers, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
6 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Passifloraceae |
Genus | Passiflora |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Patio And Containers, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!