The Passion Project

Their are few plants that are as close to my heart as the Passion Flower. Wispy, rambling and reaching to claim higher

ground "Passiflora Incarnata" is a species of the genus passifloraceae is native to East Texas where I am from and

common to most southern gardens. I think for me the discovery of such an intricate flower in my Memaw's garden one

summer lit a spark that would later grow inside me a blazing passion for all things plants.

"Lady Margaret" Sultry red petals and sepals with burgundy filaments splotched with white is easily one of the most striking

flowers in existence. Common in and around East Texas grown as an ornamental mostly, a sure sign that spring has arrived.

When I found this in a greenhouse that I frequent sourcing out plants for spring sales I leaped over flats of annuals to retrieve

some good specimens and was surprised to see a few blooms so early in March, so I wrangled as much of the pots up in my arms as I could and made my way to the edge of the greenhouse to set them aside. A considerable effort I might add as the tendrils often grab nearby plants and hold on for dear life, a good sharp pair of nursery snips come in handy for this task.

"Passiflora Incarnata" The most vigorous perennial vine on planet Earth. Well... in my opinion anyway, "Maypop's" are another treasure of the piney woods bearing oval shaped fruits that pop when stepped upon or thrown at your siblings in a war over territory of the backyard. Delicious jellies and spritzer drinks can be made from the juice and a host of medicinal uses have been noted all over Europe and Australia for hundreds of years.