Description
General aspect and origins -
Passiflora x
violacea is an old cross of
Passiflora caerulea x
Passiflora racemosa, that was obtained in 1824 by Loiseleur-Deslongchamps. Several cultivars were selected, with a foliage similar to that of
P.caerulea and purple flowers.
Leaves - Foliage is semi-decidious to evergreen, depending on the climate. Leaves have 3 to 5 lobes, are shiny on the upper face, and are deep-green with sometimes red tints.
Flowers - Flowers of
P. x
violacea have a similar shape and diameter than those of
P. caerulea. However, flowers are globaly purple, with white and/or black traces. There are several selections of this hybrid :
- 'form 1' : flowers of this selection have light purple tepals, that are almost white on the tip of the tepals.
- 'form 2' : this selection have globaly black filaments, that have white traces on the tip. Tepals are deep purple.
- 'form 3' : this form has globaly white filaments, that turn purple and then black at the center. Tepals are pink-purple.
Fruits - This hybrid seldom fruits. When it does, fruits are very similar to these of P. caerulea. There are not edible, and are most of the time empty.
Culture
This hybrid, which was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, is an interesting vine to grow, that will profusely flower, if correctly exposed. It is also fairly frost hardy, as it will withstand cold temperatures down to about 21°F to 18°F. (-6°C to -8°C) It can thus be grown in USDA zones 8b and warmer.
Soil - As most passionflowers, P. x violacea needs a well-drained ground.Propagation
This passionflowers is propagated by cuttings or by air-layers, during the growing season.
Pictures of Passiflora x violacea
