Passion Flower - Featured Herb for 2010
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
Maypop, Apricot Vine
Passion Flower
Passion Flower is an herbaceous perennial vine, which can put on tremendous growth in one season. It is found as far north as Virginia and its range extends all the way through southern Illinois to Florida.
Passion Flower is popular for its unique large flower, which are purplish/pink and white and sweetly fragrant often measuring 3 inches across!!
The name Passion Flower originates from the biblical reference to the "Passion of Christ", the period between the Last supper and the Death of Jesus Christ, which was said to be represented within the flower!!
The maypop, as it is also known as, was commonly utilized and eaten by Native Americans, particularly the fruits. There is documentation of Native people semi-domesticating the plant for fruit production in the Algonkian settlements in what is now Virginia.
Passion Flower is an important herb for the nervous system and all aerial parts of the plant have been used for insomnia and nervous anxiety. Unlike many sleep aids which are narcotic and addictive substances, Passion Flower is effective yet non-habit forming. There have been studies done using Passion Flower in patients with epilepsy and Parkinson's Disease as well.
Passion Flower should not be used during pregnancy and it is an excellent remedy for children who have trouble sleeping or struggle with stress related anxiety. It is an excellent remedy for insomnia in the elderly as well.
Passion Flowers are a fantastic screen when grown on a trellis, as their tendrils will grab almost any support. The shiny green foliage is very attractive and the fragrant, showy flowers are quite breathtaking. The vine is deciduous and will die back completely in winter, but it can grow 15 to 20 feet in one season creating a lush wall of flowers.
Passion Flowers thrive in a sandier soil with full sun conditions. They enjoy regular watering and fertile soil will stimulate faster growth. I have seen Passion Flowers climbing porches, outhouses, arbors or even cascading over a rock wall and they always look stunning in the garden. Best grown within a zone 6 climate although with a heavy winter mulch they can survive much colder.
Perennial to zone 6.
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