Some plants, such as Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, are so invasive that there are laws in place in England and Wales to “limit their spread into the wild, where they can do serious damage to local ecosystems,” according to BBC Gardeners World.
But although it’s not an offence to grow passion flower, there is a certain variety that garden experts have said, while it’s not considered so invasive that “you don’t grow them”, you may want to “think twice” about planting them.
This applies especially if you have a “small garden, or if you’re after a low-maintenance planting scheme”.
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Passiflora caerulea is the “most commonly grown” type of passion flower in gardens, recognised for its large and unique purple and white flowers.
BBC Gardeners World explains: “There are several species of passion flower, but the most commonly grown species, Passiflora caerulea, is extremely vigorous and can become invasive.
“It spreads by long runners and throws up shoots, or suckers, several metres from the original plant.”
Meanwhile, the RHS website shares it is a “vigorous, large, evergreen climber about 10m tall, bearing rich green leaves to 10cm long, with 5-7 finger-like lobes”.
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It adds: “Bowl-shaped flowers to 8cm in width, are white, with blue and purple coronal filaments, flowering from summer to autumn, then followed by ovoid orange fruits 4cm long.”
Be aware, the “fruits are edible but not particularly tasty.”
How to keep passion flower from spreading?
If you want to plant passion flower but are looking for ways to control it and stop it from spreading, the best way to introduce them into your garden is by growing them in containers where they “grow well”.
This is because growing these plants in pots prevents them from “spreading uncontrollably”, according to The Spruce.
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The garden enthusiasts recommend: “To successfully pot your passionflower, use potting soil rich in nutrients, and make sure the pot (of any material) has several large drainage holes at its base.
“Keep the soil moist, but don’t allow the roots to sit in water.
“Plants grown in containers will need more regular feedings since they are watered more frequently and nutrients typically rinse out as the soil drains.”
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