Passiflora Eden- Passion Flower

The Passiflora 'Eden' is a moderately vigorous hybrid passion flower that typically climbs up to 4m (13ft) high when trained on a trellis. This variety has deeply lobed, glossy dark green leaves that are semi-evergreen. A dark background that ideally enhances the large, mauve and violet-toned flowers, which inevitably evoke distant Tropics. Not hardy, this passion flower can only be grown in the ground in our mildest winter regions. Elsewhere, it can be grown in a container on a trellis to be sheltered in a cool and bright indoor area in winter.

Mostly originating from tropical areas of South America, Passifloras belong to the Passifloraceae family, the best-known genus. The Passiflora genus includes more than 500 species and numerous spontaneous and horticultural hybrids. They are mostly tropical plants, but some species are also subtropical.

'Eden' results from a crossbreeding between Passiflora caerulea and P. violacea 'Amethyst', a superb variety with violet flowers and bluish filaments. Eden has taken much more from Amethyst as its flowers are violet, far from the white of its first parent. In addition to the 5 petals and 5 sepals arranged in a star shape, a crown of ornamental, numerous, slender and graceful filaments spread their beautiful colour on a dark purple centre, creating a beautiful effect. The 5 green stamens open in a star shape at the base of the pistil divided into 3 purple-violet stigmas. This highly sophisticated floral ensemble contributes to the fascination exerted by this plant, which has been associated with the passion of Christ for several centuries, with each floral element having a particular meaning.

In 'Eden', the flowers are impressive, reaching 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) in diameter. The stems bear deeply lobed, glossy dark green leaves that are almost shiny. They persist in winter if the plant is frost-free and deciduous in cold climates. In autumn, this Passion flower produces decorative yellow-orange fruits (not edible).

The 'Eden' passion flower is a rambling plant that clings to its support with tendrils, reaching up to 4m (13ft) in height under favourable conditions, with a width of about 2m (7ft). Grown in a container, it will remain smaller and can be pruned to limit growth. The well-protected stump of this passion flower will withstand brief frosts of around -5°C (23°F) to -8°C (17.6°F).
If your climate allows planting in the ground, remember that it prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils (pH 5.6 to 7.8), slightly moist but well-drained for winter survival. Remember to water it during the summer in a hot climate.

The Passion Flower 'Eden' can be trained on a fence, a wire mesh or a trellis. Plant it in a container to be brought indoors to an unheated conservatory where it will spend the winter. With its tropical appearance, it is tempting to plant it alongside other exotic-looking plants to create an original scene in the garden. The Indigofera heterantha, a small bush with light foliage and purple-pink flowers, will be a good companion, as will the Feijoa (Acca sellowiana), which eventually forms a small tree with its distinctive flowers, with white petals surrounding a cluster of red stamens.