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Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky- Passion Flower

Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky®
Blue Passionflower, Common Passionflower

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The Passiflora caerulea 'Clear Sky' is a vigorous perennial climbing plant, quite hardy, semi-evergreen, clinging to its support thanks to its tendrils. From May to October, it produces magnificently sophisticated and highly architectural flowers, where white, blue, purple, and a mix of green and yellow blend together. In autumn, it produces orange egg-shaped fruits, very decorative and edible but not very tasty. This highly decorative climber can be grown in temperate regions due to its good frost resistance. It should be cultivated in the sun, in well-drained ordinary soil, even limestone.
Flower size
11 cm
Height at maturity
3 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to April, September to October
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Flowering time May to October
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Description

The Passiflora caerulea 'Clear Sky', also known as passionflower or blue passion flower, is a vigorous perennial climbing plant, reasonably hardy, semi-evergreen, clinging to its support thanks to its tendrils. Throughout the summer, it produces flowers slightly paler than the species but larger and more resistant to full sun. They have an exotic and graphic appearance that leaves no one indifferent. White-blue in colour, adorned with a collar of tricoloured filaments, light blue, white, and purple, they are followed after a hot summer by orange fruits, edible but tasteless. This highly decorative rambler displays an excellent resistance to frost. It should be grown in the sun, in well-drained ordinary soil, even limestone.

Primarily native to tropical areas of South America, Passiflores belong to the family Passifloraceae, of which they are the most widespread genus, with the others being known only to collectors. There are more than 500 species of Passiflora, as well as numerous spontaneous or horticultural hybrids. They are mostly tropical plants, but some species are subtropical and can survive winter in mild and sheltered areas. Passiflora caerulea is one of the hardiest, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -12 °C (10.4°F), and therefore is probably the most commonly planted.

'Clear Sky' is a tetraploid variety (meaning it has twice the normal number of chromosomes) obtained by German breeder Roland Fisher. Polyploidy (multiplication of the chromosome stock) enhances certain desirable traits in plants. Starting with a cross involving the Emil Kugler variety, Dr. Fisher obtained 'Clear Sky', which has larger flowers than the botanical blue passionflower. Clear Sky's flowers are also paler and more resistant to full sun. This climbing plant reaches a height of 3m (10ft) and a width of approximately 1.50m (5ft), but it can grow taller in favourable climates and without pruning to limit its growth. Its beautiful deep green foliage, deeply lobed, is semi-evergreen, meaning it falls off in cold winters but remains evergreen in mild climates. The flowers have the same sophisticated structure as the botanical species, with ten petals and sepals that look similar but are whiter. The decorative crown of filaments in Passiflores is dark purple at the base, then white in the middle, and light blue at the tip, vaguely resembling a British cockade... The central sexual floral parts are green and yellow for the stamens and purple striped for the pistil, contrasting the white petals and sepals. This highly sophisticated floral ensemble contributes to the fascination exerted by this plant, which has been associated with the passion of Christ for several centuries, with each floral element having its specific meaning (the Apostles, the nails of the crucifixion...). In Clear Sky, the flowers are very large, reaching a diameter of 11cm (4in), and bloom from May to October. If the summer is hot enough, they develop into decorative orange egg-shaped fruits, edible but tasteless.

The 'Clear Sky' passionflower is a fast-growing, rambling plant that clings to its support with tendrils. The well-protected stump of this passionflower can withstand temperatures as low as -8 °C (17.6°F) to -10 °C (14°F). It can be grown in a container in colder climates to protect it during winter.


If your climate allows planting it in the ground, know that it thrives in most soils (pH 5.6 to 7.8), slightly moist but well-drained for winter survival. Remember to water it in the summer in Mediterranean coastal climates.

The blue 'Clear Sky' passionflower is perfect for covering fences, trellises, unsightly fences, or old sunny walls in the south or west. Provide it with a sheltered position away from winds. It is an excellent companion for other climbing plants. To enhance the exotic aspect of this passionflower, pair it with Campsis capreolata (or Bignonia capreolata), a vine with stunning red and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that smell like chocolate! The Jasminum officinale, with its intoxicating perfume, will also be a perfect companion to complete this tropical-looking scene in mild temperate climates.

Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky- Passion Flower in pictures

Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky- Passion Flower (Flowering) Flowering
Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky- Passion Flower (Plant habit) Plant habit
Passiflora caerulea Clear Sky- Passion Flower (Harvest) Harvest

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time May to October
Inflorescence Cyme
Flower size 11 cm
Fruit colour orange

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Passiflora

Species

caerulea

Cultivar

Clear Sky®

Family

Passifloraceae

Other common names

Blue Passionflower, Common Passionflower

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1009182

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Planting and care

This passionflower can be planted in the ground in climates that are not too cold, tolerating frost down to -8°C (17.6°F) to -10°C (14°F). In cooler climates, plant it against a well-exposed wall or in a container to bring it indoors to a frost-free room with minimal light, such as a garage with a window or similar. This climbing plant adapts to a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-drained, as excess water in winter would be fatal. Ordinary slightly sandy soil is suitable, and you can also add gravel to the planting hole to improve drainage if your soil is very clayey. However, it is important to know that it needs some humidity to thrive, but not during the winter.


In hot climates, this plant should be grown in partial shade. However, in all other regions, it requires a sunny location. Once it has taken root properly, it is a low-maintenance plant, except for a brief pruning session each spring to promote the regeneration of its foliage.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to April, September to October
Type of support Arbour, Arch, Trellis

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Climbing
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, draining

Care

Pruning instructions In spring, prune the branches (to 2 or 3 buds from the main stems) to promote the growth of new shoots.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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