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Prettiest Vine Ever? Passion Fruit

062608_passion.jpgPlease challenge us on this if you know of a prettier or more eye catching flowering vine. We can't think of one, though wisteria with its heavenly scent might be a close second.

 
 

The vine's incredible flowers alone put it at the top of our list, but its sweet tendrils, yummy fruit and fast growth only help to boost it to the number one slot. In fact, this vine could replace creeping fig in our books for a great wall coverer, except that it has a short life span of 5-7 years. But reading this account in the LA Times might convince us otherwise.

The vine has its origins in South America and likes warm weather and well draining soil, though it does like a fair amount of water. In Southern California, it might be too sunny to plant it in full sun, so try planting it someplace that it will get at least some reprieve from the heat.

We were also surprised to read that the vine can do well indoors and in a container, as long as you maintain rich soil for it. We'd love to see this trailing vine with its curly-q tendrils growing up an indoor wall. Read more about its history and maintenance here.

[image from Herbal Extract Plus]

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gardening, vine, passion flower, passion fruit, pretty vine

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Comments (17)

Yes, but it stinks to high heaven.

posted by ddg425 on June 26th 2008 at 9:56am
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One of these ate my parents backyard in Long Beach. It was so hard to get rid of, and it definitely lasted longer than 5-7 years.

The thing I never got is that the fruit that came off of it doesn't look or taste like passionfruit. Atleast not like the passionfruit juice that you can buy in a store or the picture of the passionfruit that is on the juice container. It was orange when ripe, small, round, and with red seeds inside that kind of tasted like Jello. But not really any specific flavor.

posted by roseslaw on June 26th 2008 at 10:04am
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I like the 'shell vine' for it's unusual flowers - http://springhillnursery.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_20180

posted by Lenny on June 26th 2008 at 10:14am
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Lenny, that shell vine is beautiful! I've never heard of it or seen it. Thanks for posting.

posted by DlW on June 26th 2008 at 10:31am
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Passion vines are definitely nice, but I think a Clematis vine is pretty spectacular: http://thymeafterthyme.com/images/clematisdanielderonda.jpg They come many different colors, too.

posted by supermodule on June 26th 2008 at 10:46am
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I can't decide if that flower is one of the most awesome things ever, or if it will give me nightmares!

posted by Molly Margarita on June 26th 2008 at 11:43am
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Another benefit to planting passion flower is that its the host plant for the Zebra Heliconian butterfly. Though the catterpillers will munch your vine down to nothing (that is if you live in Florida, Gerorgia or the Carolinas) they will grow up to be real beauties so i think it's worth it.

posted by vertigo on June 26th 2008 at 12:04pm
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I love the passionfruit (lilikoi) vine! The flowers look like jungle orchids. The fruits are devine...of course they are not as spectacular tasting here as if they were grown in Hawaii or some other tropical region. I would love to see more passion fruit and less ivy!

posted by SydneyBristow on June 26th 2008 at 12:14pm
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Love 'em. Look like flowers that would grow on alien planets.

posted by idea chick on June 26th 2008 at 1:15pm
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There are several different types of passion flower vines. The ones with the spectacular flowers are not the same types as the ones with the delicious fruits. It is always a good idea to find out both the Genus (in this case Passaflora) and Species (in this case over 500 different ones) and do a little research before turning over a new plant to your garden. Otherwise there can be some very surprising results.

posted by mrs yow on June 26th 2008 at 1:23pm
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I loved finding these flowers on the ditchbank where I played with my cousin. We were told the fruits were "maypops.'' We liked to pick them for a favorite older lady, Miss Lolabelle, to stomp on her porch with the orthopedic shoes she called her "antstompers." Hilarious entertainment for 7 year olds growing up in the rural south. There is also a biblical analogy to the flower form, I forgot.

posted by Kate (NC) on June 27th 2008 at 3:38am
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it looks like a bob mackie dress! i love it!

posted by E.M.H on June 27th 2008 at 8:57am
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So THAT's what those things are! They grow on the fence around the playground at school and my students are always picking them for me. I had no idea.

posted by ehat on June 27th 2008 at 10:24am
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We have two clematis vines and while they aren't the most unusual, they are very pretty and live forever. One we have had for 15 years.

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/plantfinder/clematis_1.asp

posted by hannaleighh on June 27th 2008 at 10:52am
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A climbing gloriosa lily is also quite stunning. In our warm zone 9, these passion vines grow out of control.

posted by djftex on June 27th 2008 at 9:35pm
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I like Chocolate Vine (Akebia Quintana) for its unusual Gothic flowers and cocoa scent- sadly only blooms in April, then it's done.

http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/akebia-quinata-p-206.html

posted by Miriam on June 29th 2008 at 12:28pm
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These actually close at night and open again in the morning. They are incredible. The lovely Sharon of Floricopia has these vines growing at her space at Soolip on Melrose.

posted by jss on June 30th 2008 at 9:49am
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