What do you get when you cross two of the rarest and most beautiful Passion Flowers in the world?  You get Passiflora parritae x antioquiensis!  This new hybrid combines the amazing orange Passiflora parritae, which is close to extinction in the wild, with the spectacular, hot-pink Passiflora antioquiensis.  The enormous blooms are over 6 inches across, and the fruits happen to be delicious!  This is a cool-climate plant that might not thrive in hot areas.

A little about the parent plants:  Passiflora parritae - the "holy grail" of Passifloras - comes from the cool highlands of Colombia.  Its billowing blooms are possibly the largest of all Passiflora species.  The 6 inch wide flowers are an exquisite shade of peachy-orange.  Passiflora antioquiensis, also from Colombia, has 5 inch blooms that dangle from super-long stems up to 2 feet long.  Its sweet fruit is considered by many to be the tastiest of all passion fruits.

The hybrid plant combines the best qualities from both parents, and it flowers practically all year!  It makes bright yellow, oval fruit with a delicious, tropical aroma and flavor. 

Passiflora parritae x antioquiensis

Both parent plants are in the Tacsonia group of Passifloras and therefore prefer cooler temperatures, between 40° and 80°F (4-27°C).  They might not do well in temperatures that are consistently above 85° F (29°C), especially if nights are warm (above 65°F / 18°C).  The hybrid reportedly can tolerate a light frost, but i recommend protecting it from freezing temperatures.  It likes several hours of sun a day, but it may need some protection from strong afternoon sun.  The vine can grow over 20 feet long, although it may be pruned to any size that is convenient.  Like other Passifloras, it enjoys fertile, well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  In the right conditions, it is a vigorous vine.