Hardy, fruit-bearing and above all, stunningly beautiful! A breeding breakthrough has led to the development of these exciting Passiflora incarnata Cooltropics® hybrids.
Whereas other passion flowers that produce edible fruits are tender, Passiflora Cooltropics® Duo are reliably hardy down to -15°C. At the same time, they flaunt fantastically exotic looks, creating a summer jungle vibe even in our colder UK climate. Passiflora Cooltropics® quickly grows into a dense wall of glossy, tri-lobed foliage that is covered in exquisitely beautiful flowers in July and August. The large flowers are up 9cm in diameter and boast a complex beauty that invites close inspection – each one sports a circle of long, wavy filaments that radiate out from a prominent central stalk. When fertilised, the flowers are followed by delicious, aromatic fruits the size of an egg, which are ready to harvest in September-October when they mature to yellow.
Passiflora Cooltropics®Duo have been bred specifically to grow in cooler climates and have been selected for early flowering and fruiting. Grow them in the open border in a sunny, warm position such as against a south or west-facing wall, a sheltered arbour or as an exotic flowering and fruit-bearing screen. They can also be planted into large containers and grown up an obelisk or other supports for an exotic patio feature. Simply move the containers into a frost-free location to overwinter. These plants are self-infertile, so Passiflora Cooltropics® Duo provides two plants that will successfully fertilise each other. Height: 3.5m (11.5ft). Spread: 1m (3.2ft).
Passiflora Cooltropics® Duo comprises the following varieties:
- Passiflora 'Cooltropics Snowstar®' - Large dazzling white flowers.
- Passiflora Cooltropics® 'Eia Popeia'® - Vivid blue-violet flowers.
Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.
Growing Information
Plant Passiflora Cooltropics® plants into any moist, well drained soil. Choose a sunny position that is protected from cold winds in winter. Plants grown in the warmest positions (eg a greenhouse or polytunnel) will start growing earlier and the fruits will ripen better.
Prior to planting, add plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to the soil. When growing passion flower, be sure to provide the twining stems with an appropriate support such as trellis or wires attached to fences and pergolas.
Plants can also be grown in large containers, minimal size 10 litres. Container grown plants will need to be moved into a frost-free position over winter.
Feed and water regularly throughout the growing season. In autumn, apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the plant.
In late autumn, simply cut back the above-ground part to 10 cm. Light winter protection, such as a thick mulch, is recommended. In the winter plants will die back to below ground. Plants require warmth and will not reemerge until late spring, around mid to late May.
Plants are self infertile and so two plants are required to pollinate each other and produce fruit.
