Passion Flower 'Alata' - Plant

Passion Flower 'Alata' grows elegantly on the terrace, in a greenhouse or a flower conservatory. It can even make a quite charming houseplant. Use a large pot with holes in the base (minimum 30 cm diameter). Cover the bottom with a layer of potsherds or hydrograins. Put some potting compost in the pot and plant the root ball of the Passion Flower 'Alata' at the appropriate depth. Fill in with potting compost and press firmly. Immediately water after planting. Place the plant in a position with complete sunshine, ideally near a south wall.

The long, flexible stems of these plants can climb up a fence, bamboo sticks, or a climbing frame. Make sure that the climbing aid is firmly placed in the pot. Tie the stems of the Passion Flowers together or train them along the climbing frame.

The striking red and purple flowers of Passion Flower 'Alata' bloom abundantly along its branches. The shape of the flower is associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ. The crown of long stamens resembles the crown of thorns. The name comes from the Latin words 'Passio', which means suffering, and 'floss', which means flower. In the summer, you may discover fruit on the Passion Flower 'Alata'. The relatively large, light yellow fruits are edible!

In order to ensure a healthy growth of the Passion Flower 'Alata' it will need training and pruning carefully. Remove any faded sideshoots, leave healthy ones that can be trained along a support and don't touch the faded flowers and leaves or the area where fruits grow. we recommend to mix a feed in with the water on a regular basis during the summer. This allows the plants to experience an extra rich bloom.

Passion Flower 'Alata' is not a hardy plant but may well be preserved during the winter. Before the first frost, slightly trim its branches and place the pot in a frost-free area with light and a temperature of about 15-20° C. Water it less and feed it plant food once a month. Don't let the compost dry out. You can water your Passion Flower 'Alata' more often in the spring and as the weather gets warmer. Repot the plant, add fresh potting soil, and give it more water. The Passion Flower 'Alata' is now ready to be back outdoors to adorn your patio. Do not leave the plant out if there are any signs of night frosts.