Passiflora caerulea

[Tahir Khan]

Botanical Name	Passiflora caerulea
Family	Passifloraceae
Genus	Passiflora
Specie	Caerulea
Local Name in Urdu	'Ghari Phool' or 'Saleebi Phool ki Bail'
Common Name	Blue passion flower, Common passion flower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Cultivar Name	'Chinensis'
Category(Bush/Vine/Tree)	Vine/Tendril climber
Height	Up to 40 ft
Spacing	8-10 ft
Flowering Months	Spring/Late autumn
Flower Color	Pale blue with white
Growing Areas	Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Tropical climates
Frost Tender	Yes
Exposure	Full sun/Partial shade
Soil pH	6.0-7.0
Propagation	Seeds, Stem cuttings, Air layering, Root cuttings
Uses	Ornamental orange colored fruits, Fragrant flowers
Other Details	Common passion flower is a very famous climber with almost artificial looking fragrant flowers, the flowers are followed by egg shaped orangy fruits that edible but taste is very sour. This vine is native to Argentina and Southern Brazil and climbs with the help of tendrils and is some what invasive if not checked. Growth excels in moderate humid climates and stops in cold months. Propagation is easy with seeds, stem cuttings taken in the months of July-September. Can be grown easily in Large containers.