Here is a picture of it, and more information than I gave you this spring.
This is what I can't believe August 30th....where did spring and summer go? Today I am going to talk about a plant that came up that is a great one for summer and fall blooming here in Iowa. If you are interested put on your list to try for next year. I have sold many of them this year, and will get more for next year. The variety I grew you will realize why I first got it because of the name. I am talking about passion plant, and the variety I had was the Becky's Passion Plant. I can't take any credit for it just that we share the same name. One of the ways the flower is remembered is calling it a Christ's Resurrection plant because the leaves resemble the spear that pierced our savior's side; the tendrils, - the cords that bound his hands, or the whips that scourged him; the ten petals, - the apostles; Judas having betrayed, and Peter deserted; the pillars in the center, - the cross or tree; the stamina, - the hammer, the styles the nails; the inner circle around the central pillar, - the crown of thorns; the radiance, - the glory; the white in the flower - the emblem of puriety; and the blue, - the type of heaven. One species, the Passiflora alata even drops of blood are seen upon the cross or tre-. This flower continues three days open and then disappears, thus denoting the resurrection.
Here is what I found out about the passion plant.
Taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/shrubsvines/a/Passion-Flower.htm?utm_content=7440438&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_campaign=gardening&utm _term=
Passion flowers are exotic looking tropical plants that can actually be grown in much milder areas. There are many different passion flower plants and there is considerable variety between the species. Some passion flowers are vines, some produce edible fruits. Passion flowers look extremely exotic, so it’s a surprise to find them growing in fields along the sides of the road. If you'd like to give them a try, here are some tips for growing your own passion flowers at home.
Overview and Description: The genus Passiflora contains over 400 species, so the common name Passion Flower can be a bit confusing. To muddle matters further, most are vines, but some are shrubs, annuals, perennials and even trees. What they all share are exotic flowers that only remain open for about 1 day. They have a wide, flat petal base with several rings of filaments in the center which surround a stalk of sorts, that holds up the ovary and stamens. Flowers: 5 or 10 petals in a flat or reflex circle. The ovary and stamens are held atop a tall, distinctive stalk which is encircled by delicate filaments. The stigmas start out high above the anthers and slowly bend backwards to come closer for pollination. Colors include: blue, purple, pink, white and red.
Foliage: The most commonly grown forms are vines that climb and cling by tendrils. The leaves are alternate and either lobed or ovate. Botanical Name: Passiflora Common Name(s): Passion Flower, Passion Vine, Maypop, Granadilla USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 10, depending on species. Mature Size: Varies with the type of passion flower you are growing. Most are vines: 15-30' (4.5 - 9 m) x 6-8 ft. (2-2.5 m)
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Bloom Period: Most passion flowers grown in gardens will repeat bloom from mid- to late summer. Design Tips: Although passion flowers are native in many regions of the Southern U.S., they can become a nuisance, to the point of being invasive. Check with your local Cooperative Extension or DEC to see if you should avoid passion flowers altogether or if certain species are preferable. A lot of gardeners prefer to grow their passion flowers in containers. Passion flower grows quite happily in a pot and you have the convenience of being able to move it to a sunnier site or even bring it indoors for the winter. Plus, it limits the spreading by rhizomes.
Sun: Passion flowers need at least 4 full hours of sunlight a day; more in cooler climates and some partial shade in the hottest areas. Plants may need winter protection in Zone 6. In zones cooler than zone 6, they will be winter-killed. Soil: The soil should be well-draining, but rich. Passion flowers grow and bloom best when the soil is kept moist. They don’t handle drought well. Soil pH can be in the neutral range, anywhere from about 6.1 to 7.5. Planting: The addition of compost to the planting hole will help retain moisture. Some type of support is needed for the vines to grow on. It can be a trellis, a structure or even another plant. Most varieties of passion flower can be purchased as plants. So give this plant some thought for next year. I promise you that time will be here before we know it. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
Here is what I found out about the passion plant.
Taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/shrubsvines/a/Passion-Flower.htm?utm_content=7440438&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_campaign=gardening&utm _term=
Passion flowers are exotic looking tropical plants that can actually be grown in much milder areas. There are many different passion flower plants and there is considerable variety between the species. Some passion flowers are vines, some produce edible fruits. Passion flowers look extremely exotic, so it’s a surprise to find them growing in fields along the sides of the road. If you'd like to give them a try, here are some tips for growing your own passion flowers at home.
Overview and Description: The genus Passiflora contains over 400 species, so the common name Passion Flower can be a bit confusing. To muddle matters further, most are vines, but some are shrubs, annuals, perennials and even trees. What they all share are exotic flowers that only remain open for about 1 day. They have a wide, flat petal base with several rings of filaments in the center which surround a stalk of sorts, that holds up the ovary and stamens. Flowers: 5 or 10 petals in a flat or reflex circle. The ovary and stamens are held atop a tall, distinctive stalk which is encircled by delicate filaments. The stigmas start out high above the anthers and slowly bend backwards to come closer for pollination. Colors include: blue, purple, pink, white and red.
Foliage: The most commonly grown forms are vines that climb and cling by tendrils. The leaves are alternate and either lobed or ovate. Botanical Name: Passiflora Common Name(s): Passion Flower, Passion Vine, Maypop, Granadilla USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 10, depending on species. Mature Size: Varies with the type of passion flower you are growing. Most are vines: 15-30' (4.5 - 9 m) x 6-8 ft. (2-2.5 m)
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade Bloom Period: Most passion flowers grown in gardens will repeat bloom from mid- to late summer. Design Tips: Although passion flowers are native in many regions of the Southern U.S., they can become a nuisance, to the point of being invasive. Check with your local Cooperative Extension or DEC to see if you should avoid passion flowers altogether or if certain species are preferable. A lot of gardeners prefer to grow their passion flowers in containers. Passion flower grows quite happily in a pot and you have the convenience of being able to move it to a sunnier site or even bring it indoors for the winter. Plus, it limits the spreading by rhizomes.
Sun: Passion flowers need at least 4 full hours of sunlight a day; more in cooler climates and some partial shade in the hottest areas. Plants may need winter protection in Zone 6. In zones cooler than zone 6, they will be winter-killed. Soil: The soil should be well-draining, but rich. Passion flowers grow and bloom best when the soil is kept moist. They don’t handle drought well. Soil pH can be in the neutral range, anywhere from about 6.1 to 7.5. Planting: The addition of compost to the planting hole will help retain moisture. Some type of support is needed for the vines to grow on. It can be a trellis, a structure or even another plant. Most varieties of passion flower can be purchased as plants. So give this plant some thought for next year. I promise you that time will be here before we know it. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
