Red Passion Flower

Red Passion Flower

​Passiflora incarnata

• Common Name: ‘Lady Margaret’ Passionflower, ‘Lady Margaret’ Passionvine
  
• Scientific name: Passiflora ‘Lady Margaret’
  
• Family name: Passifloraceae
  
• Origin: It is a hybrid between two passionflower species; Passiflora incarnata from the Southeastern United States, and Passiflora coccinea from northern South America
  
• Height: 8 to 20 ft
  
• Width: 2 to 20 ft
  
• Growth: Fast
  
• Zone: USDA zones 9a through 11
  
• Light needs: Part shade to full sun
  
• Salt tolerance: Low
  
• Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers sandy, moist, well-drained soils. Soil should be mildly acidic (pH 6.1-6.5)
  
• Moisture: Average water needs – soil should remain moist. Tolerant of humid conditions.
  
• Drought tolerance: Moderate – can tolerate dryness for short periods of time
  
• Pests/Diseases: Aphids and leaf spot.
  
• Growing conditions: Should be grown in a sunny or partly shady area in sandy, well-draining soil. As it is a climbing plant, it needs a support to grow on, such as a trellis or an arbor. It should be trimmed as rarely as possible, as its flowers mainly grow on its longer, loose-hanging stems. It should only be pruned when it is growing out of the desired space. It will usually die back in freezing temperatures.
  
• Characteristics: Since this plant is a climbing vine, its height and spread can vary widely depending on what it grows on. Its branches are thin and will readily grab onto and grow around nearby objects for support. Leaves are simple, alternately arranged, each having three points with the center one being the largest. It is best known for its flowers, which are large, light burgundy-red, with ten petals and a prominent, dark red and white striped corona. The stamens and style and greenish-yellow and stick out prominently. Fruit is edible, but rarely produced and usually does not ripen.
  
• Propagation: By stem cuttings, as this plant does not produce true seeds
  
• Wildlife: Butterflies and other nectar-eaters are drawn to the flowers.
  
• Facts: This plant holds religious significance to many Christians, who see the ten petals as representing the ten apostles that remained faithful to Jesus. This plant gets its unique flower color from its hybrid parents, one of which has purple flowers and the other having red flowers.
  
• Designer considerations: As a climbing vine with prominent, brightly colored flowers, it is a good choice for a trellis, arbor, wall, or fence. Since it can get very large it is also good as a specimen planting, especially when placed in a butterfly garden where it will attract many pollinators.​
  

Location

Rose Garden

Back to the Rose Garden