Passiflora Purple Haze | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

DESCRIPTION:

As always, the author Cor Laurens knows how to find original, imaginative and poetic names for his beautiful hybrids. I must say that in this case too, the name chosen is well suited to this hybrid.

In fact, I had the opportunity to see a very large specimen in full bloom in his greenhouse. The impressive number of flowers brought to mind a large blue, fragrant cloud overlooking the dense green foliage.

The colour of the flowers is extraordinarily intense. Other hybrids have been obtained between P. caerulea and P. amethystina, but none of these has achieved such pure colours or such large, fragrant flowers.

Perhaps the reason lies in the particular clones that were used. The maternal plant is not in fact P. caerulea from our gardens, but the one found naturally in its areas of origin, and which in English is called 'wild' P. caerulea. P. amethystina, from which the pollen was taken, is the long-petiole clone referred to as P. amethystina 'long peduncle'. I, therefore, think that the beauty of this flower is due precisely to the happy combination of specific parents.

The flowers of P. 'Purple Haze' have a diameter of about 8 cm, with aculeated sepals and petals suffused by a very light violet. The corona, made up of four series of usually straight and sturdy filaments, is coloured deep purple in the centre. After a white interruption of a few millimetres, which creates a dividing ring, the colour continues in bright violet for the remaining half of the corona.

Growing P. 'Purple Haze' is easy and rewarding, as it grows robustly, is adaptable and very hardy. After many years following its creation, it is still widespread and sold at garden centres.

The minimum temperature at which it must be kept in winter is about 4°C. Placed in the ground in suitable areas, it will become a large climber with spectacular flowers.

The ideal soil is one rich in humus. Propagation is done with cuttings.