Quick Guide: summer, half-hardy, full sun, height: 9m/30ft, width: 6m/20ft

Passiflora umbellicata and P. caerulea, the common passion flower, are the only members of their family - natives of Brazil - that can be grown outdoors and even then they must have a sheltered site. They bear exotic, star-shaped flowers with prominent stamens, ~which are occasionally followed by golden egg-shaped fruits.

GROWING Plant in late spring in well-drained soil, in a sheltered position against a warm, sunny wall with trelliswork or wire mesh for support. Tie in the young growths until the tendrils take over. Protect with cloches over winter. Plants may be cut down by frost but new shoots arise from the base. Prune in spring if necessary, removing overcrowded or frost-damaged stems.

PROPAGATION Take 7.5cm/3in stem cuttings in summer and place in a peat/sand mixture in a propagator at 16°C/61°F until rooted. Pot up individually and grow on. Harden off before planting out the following spring.

SPECIES P. caerulea (above), vigorous plant with dense habit, white-petalled flowers 7.5cm/3in across have purple stamens. The variety `Constance Elliot' is all white and hardier than the species; P. urubellicata, maximum height 6m/20ft, large purplish flowers.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Cucumber mosaic virus discolours the leaves.