Blue passionflower is a dramatic twining vine that grows 10 to 25 feet tall, producing some of the most exotic flowers you'll encounter in a temperate garden. Hardy in zones 7 through 9, it rewards patient gardeners with enormous white and purple-blue blooms up to 4 inches across, followed by showy deep orange fruits the size of eggs. The flowers appear in summer and smell wonderful, while the foliage shifts between evergreen (in warmer climates) and deciduous (where winters are cool), displaying five lobed leaves that catch light beautifully. This species combines architectural drama with genuine ecological value, serving as the larval host plant for several butterfly species.
Partial Sun
Moderate
7-9
300in H x 72in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The flowers alone justify growing this vine: intricate, fragrant blooms with striking white sepals and purple-blue coronae that emerge all summer long. Beyond the visual spectacle, you get edible orange fruits that ripen from late summer through fall, plus the knowledge that you're supporting butterfly populations. It thrives against a warm, south-facing brick wall in zones 8 and 9, where reflected heat from masonry helps it overwinter and promotes abundant flowering. The plant rewards good drainage and moderate root space over heavy feeding, making it surprisingly low-maintenance once established.
Blue passionflower produces edible fruits that can be eaten fresh or used in preserves and beverages, though the primary appeal for most gardeners is ornamental. The vine serves as a living screen or focal point on a wall or sturdy trellis, where its flowers and fruits create visual interest from midsummer onward. Beyond human enjoyment, this species functions as an essential host plant for passionflower butterfly larvae, making it a cornerstone plant for gardeners committed to supporting native pollinators.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest fruits when they reach egg size and turn deep orange, typically from late summer through fall. Ripe fruits detach easily from the vine with a gentle tug; you can also allow them to drop naturally and collect them from the ground. Cut flowers in early morning for the longest vase life, harvesting just as the blooms fully open.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.