Passiflora violacea atropurpurea | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia

DESCRIPTION:

The similarity of the flowers of this passiflora to those of P. x violacea is significant of the common origin. 'Blood' of P. racemosa is present in both hybrids. The result, however, is a larger and more robust flower, almost as if P. 'Atropurpurea' is the older sister of P. x violacea.

The flowers are 8-9 cm in diameter, with deep purple petals and sepals. The corona is characterised by violet at the base and white filaments from the middle of their length to the apex. The chromatic contrast is pleasant; furthermore, the robustness of the flower, with its fleshy corolla, increases its decorative effect.

The leaves are also larger than the kindred hybrid. If the season is hot and sunny, leaves with three large open lobes will be seen on the dark red shoots, with a shiny and wavy lamina, also edged in red. They exceed 15 cm in width and length.

This passiflora blooms at the tips of the stems and, once flowering has begun, large growing buds will be seen at each node.

The cultivation rules are those typical of a passiflora that is not completely hardy (7°C minimum winter temperature), to be grown in pots and to be sheltered in protected places during the cold season. Only in the hottest Italian locations will this plant adapt to vegetating outdoors. In this case, however, it is advisable to protect the foot and possibly also the aerial part.

If you want to indulge its exuberant nature for which it grows rapidly, it is preferable to use rich soil and weekly liquid fertilisation.

The supports (racks, bamboo canes, etc.) must also be adequate for its size. In pot, the best solution is to create a conical or cylindrical structure, at least 1.5 m high, since this shape is the most suitable for enhancing the incessant blooms of this beautiful passiflora, which can only be propagated by cutting.