Passiflora

Since they were first described in Europe in the 16th century, passionflowers have held a special fascination among plant collectors for their bold, beautiful, complicated blossoms and delectable passion-fruits. Most are perennial climbers, but some are trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants or even annuals, and all lend a dramatic, tropical flavour to any situation. Since they have such a broad range of cultivation requirements, passionflowers can be grown by just about anyone, and cold-hardy species can be grown outdoors year-round. This authoritative, comprehensive volume describes 207 Passiflora species and 31 hybrids. A chapter is devoted to the remarkable co-evolution of passionflowers with Heliconius butterflies, which many passionflower enthusiasts now raise alongside flowering climbers in the greenhouse. As lushly illustrated as it is informative, Passiflora: Passionflowers of the World reveals the immense variation found among members of this extraordinary genus.