Passiflora incarnata 'Ammon’s Blue'
Overview
Uses: Trellises, arbors, fences, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, edible gardens.
Benefits: Exotic-looking fringed flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white bloom through the summer, creating one of the most visually striking displays of any native vine. Edible fruit (maypop) develops in late summer and can be used fresh or in preserves. Exclusive larval host for Gulf fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies, making it one of the most important native vines for butterfly gardens.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Vine
Growth Habit: Climbing — tendrils attach to structures; dies to ground in cold zones and regrows from roots.
Bloom Color: Blue, Purple, White
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 10–20 feet
Mature Width: 3–6 feet
Bloom Season: Summer through early fall
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower produces the kind of bloom that stops people in their tracks. Each intricate flower features white petals and sepals surrounding a spectacular fringed crown of blue-purple filaments — a design so complex that early Spanish missionaries saw in it a symbol of the Passion of Christ, giving the genus its name. ‘Ammon’s Blue’ is selected for especially vivid blue coloring in the fringe.
The flowers bloom continuously through summer and into early fall, with each individual flower lasting about one day before giving way to the next. By late summer, edible, egg-shaped fruit called maypops develop, offering a sweet-tart flavor that can be eaten fresh or used in drinks and preserves. The three-lobed, dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop on any support structure.
Beyond its ornamental and edible value, Passion Flower is one of the most ecologically important native vines you can plant. It is the exclusive larval host for Gulf fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies — without it, these species cannot complete their life cycle. Carpenter bees and hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar. In cold zones, the vine dies to the ground after frost but re-emerges from underground rhizomes in late spring.
Care
Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower Care
Plant in full sun for the most abundant flowering and fruit production. Partial shade is tolerated but will reduce bloom. Passion Flower grows in average to dry, well-drained soils and is surprisingly drought tolerant once established. Provide a trellis, arbor, or fence for the tendrils to climb.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, supplemental watering is needed only during extended dry periods. Avoid heavy fertilization or overly rich soils, which promote excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of slow release fertilizer in spring is sufficient.
In zones 5–6, the vine will die to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the root zone in late fall to protect the rhizomes through winter. Remove mulch gradually in spring. Be patient — Passion Flower emerges later than most perennials and may not appear until late May or June. The vine spreads by root suckers; remove unwanted shoots to keep it in bounds.
Size
What Size is the Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower for Sale Online?
Our Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower Grow?
Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower reaches 10 to 20 feet in a single season when given adequate support and sun. It dies to the ground in cold zones and regrows from roots each spring.
Additional Information
Is Ammon’s Blue Passion Flower a native plant?
Ammon’s Blue is a nativar — a cultivar selected from the native species Passiflora incarnata, which is indigenous to the southeastern and south-central United States. It retains full ecological value as a larval host and pollinator resource. Browse our Native Plants of North America collection for more native options.
Is the fruit edible?
Yes. The egg-shaped maypop fruit ripens in late summer and has a sweet-tart flavor similar to tropical passion fruit. It can be eaten fresh, used in drinks, or made into jelly and preserves. Explore our Flowering Vines & Climbing Plants collection for more options.
What butterflies does Passion Flower support?
Passiflora incarnata is the exclusive larval host for the Gulf fritillary butterfly and a host for the variegated fritillary. Without this plant, these butterfly species cannot reproduce. The flowers also attract carpenter bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
