Passionflower Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young'
ABOUT
Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young' is a striking plant known commonly as the passionflower. It features a distinctive appearance, with beautiful and ornate flowers that are a focal point of interest. The blooms are predominantly lavender in color, characterized by a radial symmetry of petals. The petals are complemented with a fringed corona, a circle of wavy, thread-like structures that are usually bicolored, blending lavender with a creamy white hue. The center of each flower spotlights a set of prominent stamens and a unique, protruding style that adds to the exotic look of the flower. The flowers possess an entrancing and complex structure that often draws attention to this species. The leaves of the passionflower are deep green and typically three-lobed or sometimes more, adding a lush and tropical feel to the plant's presentation. They are arranged alternately along the climbing stems that this plant sends out. These vines are vigorous and hold tightly onto support structures, which allows the plant to showcase its splendid flowers at various elevations, climbing trellises, fences, or other surfaces with grace. The plant can also bear fruit, which may be oval or egg-shaped, adding another dimension of interest with their potentially vibrant color, although the specific fruit characteristics can vary. Overall, Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young' is a captivating and ornamental plant, recognized for its striking floral display and verdant foliage.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Passifloraceae
Synonyms
Passion Flower, Passion Vine
Common names
Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young'.
ToxicityTo humans
Passionflower, including the cultivar 'Betty Myles Young', generally has a low level of toxicity to humans. However, parts of the plant, especially the unripe fruit, may contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can produce cyanide when metabolized. If ingested in significant quantities, symptoms of poisoning can include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in more severe cases, respiratory depression, and convulsions. It is rare for these symptoms to occur, and passionflower is commonly used in herbal medicines and teas for its sedative properties. It is crucial to use only parts of the plant that are deemed safe for consumption and in appropriate quantities.
To pets
Passionflower is considered to have a low level of toxicity to pets as well. As with humans, the main concern is the potential presence of cyanogenic glycosides, particularly in the unripe fruits. If pets ingest a large amount of the plant, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or convulsions. While adverse reactions are uncommon, it is recommended to prevent pets from consuming plants in the Passiflora genus, including 'Betty Myles Young', to avoid any harmful effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Spread
3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young', commonly known as Passion Flower, produces showy flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, which play a vital role in the pollination of many food crops and flowering plants.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With distinctive and vibrant flowers, the Passion Flower can enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes, and contributes to the overall visual appeal of outdoor spaces.
- Shade and Shelter: The Passion Flower is a climbing vine that can provide natural shading and shelter when grown over pergolas, arbors, or fences, creating comfortable and cooler areas in the garden.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The dense foliage and intricate structure of the Passion Flower vines offer a habitat and hiding spaces for beneficial insects and small garden wildlife.
- Cultural and Educational Interest: Passion Flowers have historical significance and symbolic meanings in various cultures, often used in educational settings to teach about plant biology, pollination, and cultural symbolism.
- Edible Fruit: Some varieties of Passion Flower, including Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young', may produce Passiflora fruit, commonly known as passion fruit, which can be consumed fresh or used in cooking.
- Garden Variety: Passion Flowers contribute to plant diversity in gardens, supporting a healthy and varied ecosystem, and can be used to rotate crops or intersperse with other plants to maintain soil health.
Medical Properties- Calming effects: Often used to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Sleep aid: May help to improve sleep quality and treat insomnia.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Potential to reduce inflammation in the body.
- Analgesic effects: Possibly used for its pain-relieving properties.
- Antispasmodic actions: Can relieve muscle spasms and cramps.
- Menstrual cramp relief: Sometimes used to alleviate menstrual discomfort.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The vine of the passion flower can be trained to grow over structures such as pergolas, providing a natural and aesthetic shade cover.
- Leaves and flowers of the passion flower can be used in the creation of natural dyes for fabric and paper crafting, imparting a range of green to yellow hues.
- Passion flowers can be used as companion plants in gardens to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, improving the pollination of nearby plants.
- The unique and intricate structure of passion flowers makes them ideal subjects for botanical art and illustrations, providing intricate details for artists to capture.
- Dried passion flower vines can be used in basket weaving and creating other eco-friendly crafts due to their flexibility and strength.
- The plant can serve as a natural privacy screen when grown densely along fences or walls.
- Passion flower can be used in the manufacturing of natural insect repellent formulas, especially designed for garden use.
- In floral arrangements, passion flowers add an exotic and tropical touch to bouquets and centerpieces.
- Used in educational settings, passion flower plants serve as an excellent tool for teaching about plant biology and the life cycle of butterflies (particularly the fritillary species which use them as a host plant).
- The flower's unique appearance can inspire design motifs in fields like architecture, interior design, and fashion, where the distinct form can be stylized into patterns and structures.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Passionflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Passionflower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Passion: Passiflora, commonly known as Passion Flower, embodies passion not only in its name but also through its intricate and vibrant flowers, which historically have been associated with the passion of Christ in Christian symbolism.
- Suffering and Sacrifice: The various parts of the Passion Flower, such as the tendrils and the central flower parts, were used to symbolize the instruments of the Passion of Christ, thereby representing suffering and sacrifice.
- Faith: The unique structure of the Passion Flower, which was once used to explain the crucifixion story, has also come to symbolize faith, particularly within the Christian faith where it serves as a reminder of belief in the sacred narrative.
- Peace: The calming effect of the Passion Flower's intricate beauty is also associated with peace and tranquility, making it a symbol for soothing the mind and fostering a peaceful environment.
- Spiritual Enlightenment: The Passion Flower's distinct appearance is suggestive of a celestial or otherworldly origin to some, which in turn links it to themes of spiritual enlightenment and the journey towards understanding.
WaterThe passionflower 'Betty Myles Young' should be watered when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which may be approximately once a week, but frequency depends on climate conditions and the plant's environment. Use room temperature water to slowly and evenly saturate the soil until you see excess water drain out the bottom. Typically, for an average-sized plant, you might use about 16 ounces of water during each watering, but this may vary depending on pot size and plant size. During the growing season in spring and summer, the plant may need more frequent watering, while in the fall and winter, you should reduce the frequency, ensuring the soil doesn’t stay soggy as this can lead to root rot.
LightPassionflower 'Betty Myles Young' thrives best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight, particularly in the morning. Avoid placing it in full, harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves, and also keep it away from very dark corners where it won’t receive enough light to bloom effectively. A spot near an east or west-facing window where it gets a few hours of direct sunlight followed by bright, ambient light would be ideal.
TemperaturePassiflora 'Betty Myles Young', or passionflower, prefers temperatures in the range of 60 to 75°F during the day and should not be subjected to temperatures below 50°F, as cold conditions can cause damage to the plant. The ideal growing conditions include warm days with slightly cooler nights, which mimics the plant's native tropical environment. Although passionflower can survive brief dips in temperature, sustained cold may lead to leaf drop or plant failure.
PruningPassionflower 'Betty Myles Young' benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth, to remove dead or damaged growth, and to maintain its shape. Pruning is best performed in early spring before new growth starts. Cut back the vine to about a third of its length and remove any weak, dead, or overcrowded stems. This promotes better air circulation and light penetration, which can help prevent disease and pest problems.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Passion Flower 'Betty Myles Young' thrives in well-draining soil rich in organic material, with a pH range of 6.1 to 7.5. A good soil mix recipe would include equal parts of peat, loam, and sharp sand or perlite to ensure adequate drainage and aeration.
RepottingPassion Flower 'Betty Myles Young' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its container. Use a larger pot to accommodate root growth and refresh the soil mix to maintain plant health.
Humidity & MistingPassion Flower 'Betty Myles Young' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50-70%. Consistently maintaining these humidity conditions is beneficial for healthy growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For indoor growth, place Passion Flower in bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, protect from strong winds and frost.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cyclePassiflora 'Betty Myles Young', also known as Betty Myles Young Passionflower, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in warm, moist soil, typically in spring. After germination, the seedlings develop into vines with characteristic lobed leaves and intricate tendrils that allow them to climb and secure onto structures or other plants. As the vine matures, it produces unique, complex flowers with a prominent central structure surrounded by a ring of colorful petals and sepals. Following pollination, often by bees or hummingbirds, the flowers develop into oval-shaped fruits, which then ripen and contain seeds for the next generation. The plant exhibits perennial behavior in warmer climates, where it can survive year-round, while in cooler regions it may be treated as an annual. Betty Myles Young Passionflower can go through multiple flowering and fruiting cycles within a single growing season under optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Passiflora 'Betty Myles Young', commonly known as the passion flower, is best propagated during the warmer months when the plant is actively growing, usually in late spring or early summer. One of the most popular methods of propagation for passion flowers is through softwood cuttings. To propagate by cuttings, one would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, making sure it has at least three sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves should be removed, and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. The cutting should then be planted in a well-draining potting mix, kept moist, and placed in a warm spot with indirect sunlight until roots develop, typically within a few weeks. Once established, the cuttings can be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.
