Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Elliott' - White Passionflower

This semi-evergreen climbing plant has distinctive white flowers which bloom throughout summer. Hardy through most of the UK down to -10°C.

Bring this vining plant into your garden for a dash of subtropical style - and the opportunity to say 'wow' each time a flower opens in summer. Mid-green, pinnate leaves are the backdrop to this plant's stunning blooms, and provide an effective piece of structural greenery throughout the year. The flowers are impossible to describe - pure white petals behind a white fringe and vibrant maroon and orange stamen protruding from the centre. You may also get a harvest of orange fruits in autumn - these are edible, but not the tastiest as fresh fruits; we've heard they're best made into jam. Bring these otherworldly beauties into your garden in a sunny, sheltered spot, and enjoy them all year long.

Scientific Name
Passiflora caerulea 'Constance Elliott' (passion flower with dark blue petals, cultivar: Constance Elliott)

Common Name
Passionflower, White Passion-Flower, White Crown Passion-Flower, Common Passionflower, Southern Beauty

Origin
Native to South America, found especially in Northern Argentina, Bolivia, Southern and Eastern Brazil, and Paraguay.

Pruning Tips
Prune in early spring if necessary.

Wildlife Value
Attractive to bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. Your Passionflowers' blooms are super accessible to insects and are rich in nectar and pollen.

Positioning
Grow in a spot that gets full or partial sun, and shelter from the wind.

Water
Your Passionflower grows best when kept fairly moist; once established in the ground, it is drought resistant.

Soil
Use a well-draining soil that holds some moisture but not so much that it keeps the plant actively soggy in winter.

Food
Can benefit from a light feed, every couple of weeks in spring and summer, to help keep it blooming healthily. Use a feed with high potassium, like a tomato feed, to boost those blooms.

Pet-safe
No - leaves and unripe fruit can be toxic or cause tummy upset in dogs, cats, horses and humans, though once ripe, the fruit is safe to eat.

Sprouts Top Tips
For the best aesthetics, make sure your passionflower has something to grow up, whether that's a trellis, fence or shed.
You may need to overwinter in a conservatory or greenhouse in colder areas.

Extras
This Passion Flower has been awarded the RHS' prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Did you know?
The name 'Passion Flower' was given by early missionaries when they saw this plant in South America; they saw in the shape of the flower signs of the passion of Christ.