Biblical Passion Flowers

Passion flowers (Passiflora alatocaerulea) got their name from the manner in which the unusual flowers symbolize elements of passion of the Lord.

For instance, the lacy crown that sticks up from the middle of the large 4-inch flowers symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ; the five stamens the five wounds; the three stigmas the nails; and the 10 daisy-like petals are said to represent the 10 faithful apostles.

Apparently, an Augustine monk made a sketch of this New World blossom in the early 1600s and brought it back to Rome, where it caused quite a stir. Papal scholars immediately declared the flower a divine blessing sent to further their missionary efforts.

Flowers most often are a lavender-purple in color, but there are varieties that range from white to shades of pink. What’s almost as good as the unique flowers is the ease in which plants grow. Passion flowers are actually a vine and, like most vines, they are vigorous and easy growers. No one will ever accuse passion flowers of being discreet.

They’ll take full sun or partial shade, and do best in well-drained soil. But they don’t require much (if any) fertilizer at all in order to bloom. Flowers start in spring and will bloom throughout summer. Vines are also pretty drought-resistant. You’ll need to water regularly to get them established, but -- after that -- mature plants can get by on low to moderate water.

Added benefits include the fact that butterflies and bees are attracted to them. Because of the latter, do not plant near where young children will likely play.

Like most vines, you’ll have to plant passion vines against some sort of support. In my backyard, they twine up lattice that provides privacy to the spa. There’s little need to train them to climb because they do it on their own, utilizing their own built-in twisty ties.

In most of California, passion vines are deciduous, meaning they lose their foliage in winter. During very harsh winters, passion vines may freeze to the ground, but the plants always spring back from the roots come spring. There’s no need to protect them from the cold like some tropical plants.

There are several varieties of passion vines -- all of which will do well in our area. While all passion vines offer spectacular flowers, one variety -- “Elizabeth” -- may be best. This hybrid variety offers dark purple flowers and wears a crown of extremely curly filaments, which makes it even more unusual than others.

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