Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - May 06, 2014

From: Mechanicsville, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Vines
Title: Waiting for a Passiflora to Emerge
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

My passiflora vine in Virginia seems to have died in our severe winter. Should I continue to wait for new growth or dig it up now and start again?

ANSWER:

It is quite possible that the harsh 2013-2014 winter could have caused your Passiflora (passion flower) vine to succumb to the cold temperatures, freezing and thawing weather or waterlogged soil. Without knowing which of the six native passiflora you have, Mr. Smarty Plants can't pinpoint the exact reason. But, by this time your vine should have leaved out or sent up new shoots from the base. So, use this as an opportunity to start anew. The six native passionflowers are Passiflora affinis (bracted passionflower), Passiflora foetida (corona de cristo), Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower), Passiflora lutea (yellow passion vine), Passiflora suberosa (corkstem passionvine), and Passiflora tenuiloba (big wing passionflower).

The hardiest of these native vines are Passiflora incarnata (zone 7) and Passiflora lutea (zone 6).

 

From the Image Gallery


Bracted passionflower
Passiflora affinis



Maypop
Passiflora incarnata

Yellow passionflower
Passiflora lutea

Birdwing passionflower
Passiflora tenuiloba

More Vines Questions

Care for large trumpet vine in Hugo MN
June 09, 2010 - I was recently given a large Trumpet vine that has been growing in the same place for the last 25 years.I have replanted it and given it a large trellis to grow on.I live in central Minnesota. My ques...
view the full question and answer

Vine for Chain Link Fence in Virginia
March 25, 2015 - I am from Great Falls, Virginia. I would like to know what the best vine is to grow on aluminum fences to cover them up quickly but also doesn't damage expensive fences in a long term?
view the full question and answer

When to prune Texas Coral Honeysuckle in Iredell, TX?
January 31, 2012 - When can I prune Texas coral honeysuckle? It needs to be pruned so that it will fill out. Also, how much do I prune it? Thank you,
view the full question and answer

Is purple bindweed good for a screen growing on a fence?
September 12, 2012 - We cleared a bunch of dead trees and tree limbs (mostly cedars and some oaks) on our semi-rural property in Driftwood and now we're left with an undesirable view onto the neighboring property. We're...
view the full question and answer

Chlorosis in Texas Wisteria from Blanco TX
November 05, 2012 - Just noticed a Texas Wisteria I bought last month and it is already looking chlorotic. Mixed compost in w/the dirt it is planted in but I don't think that will be enough. Is Blanco soil too alkaline?...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.