Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pretty picture: Passiflora coccinea


Passifloras have never really done it for me, which surprises me as much as it probably surprises you. It's not that they're not pretty, but . . . well, I can't really give a reason. I don't know the reason. They just make me go ennh.

Until about a month ago, I didn't know that passion flowers came in any color besides purple, and up until about a year ago, I had no idea that anybody ever tried to grow them as houseplants. I still don't think very many people do, but WCW had at least one.

Of course, now that I think about it, I became aware that WCW had one at home because she brought it to the work greenhouse to overwinter, so it's possible that it didn't spend much actual time in her home (she puts everything, or at least almost everything, outside for the summer: I'm told her yard looks like a tropical rain forest that appears and disappears with the seasons), and therefore probably doesn't really count as a houseplant except very technically.


8 comments:

Nancy in Sun Lakes AZ said...

I'm with you as far as the purple passion flowers go, but this orangy one is gorgeous. If I had a greenhouse to provide the humidity that it most likely needs, I'd love to own one!

Nancy in Sun Lakes AZ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lance said...

I like the passion vines, but I always like strange plants. I have always wanted a vanilla vine too, if I had space for it.

I run out of space long before I run out of wishes.

mr_subjunctive said...

You and me both, Lance.

Anonymous said...

Nice picture of the passiflora..
/Martin-Janne

Anonymous said...

I also prefer the purple ones, but they're all beautiful! Plus they attract the gulf frittilary butterfly (its their host plant...)

Anonymous said...

Flowers, shmowers! It's the FRUIT that counts! P. mollissima - YUM! (Warning - can be weedy in certain areas.) Oh. And it has pink flowers.

Aiyana said...

Very pretty. I had no idea Passion flowers were grown as houseplants, or that there was something other than the purple ones, which are the only kind that do well here in the desert.
Aiyana