Passion Flower "Iridescence"

[Triloba Tracker]

I was doing some web surfing over the weekend and found a nursery selling a passion vine called "Iridescence."

The place is Brushwood Nursery, http://www.gardenvines.com/ in Athens, GA.

"Iridescence" caught my eye because it claimed to be "Tasty-fruited" and it is listed as hardy to zone 7.

I had some communication with the Nursery, and here is additional information they shared:

• Better tasting fruit than incarnata
• Being sold for the first time
• Bred by an individual in Tennessee
• Exact pedigree is confidential but does include incarnata

I have ordered a vine and will update this thread with my experience over the year.

Anyone else heard of this variety or plan to purchase one?

[googer]

This is the first I'd ever heard of this cultivar. I had read that many attempts at hybridization among the Passifloras result in sterile "mules". One of the things I'd like to try with my incarnata seedlings is cross-pollinate them with one of the more tropical species and see if I can get anything cool out of it. Sounds like this guy might have had the same idea. Keep us posted on its progress.

[Triloba Tracker]

I ended up talking with the breeder directly, who lives about 50 miles from me, coincidentally.

I learned that it does have edulis genes in there somewhere, though he estimates it's about 75% incarnata.

He says it doesn't seem to make its own pollen so it does require insect or hand-pollination from an incarnata.

His mother plant has survived subzero temperatures and returned with considerable vigor. The fruit turns yellow when ripe but may need a longer ripening window than incarnata. 

As I said before, the flavor is purported to be better than incarnata but not as good as edulis.

Can't wait to get this one in the ground!

[googer]

I just got ~50 lilikoi seeds in the mail courtesy of barath, which I believe is a cultivar of edulis. Sounds like I've got everything I need to make my own flavor of Iridescence.

[Triloba Tracker]

I just got ~50 lilikoi seeds in the mail courtesy of barath, which I believe is a cultivar of edulis. Sounds like I've got everything I need to make my own flavor of Iridescence.

For all we know you could be the first to try that specific cross!

[barath]

I just got ~50 lilikoi seeds in the mail courtesy of barath, which I believe is a cultivar of edulis. Sounds like I've got everything I need to make my own flavor of Iridescence.

Yup, it's usually listed as P. edulis var. flavicarpa, and the flavicarpas are usually only marginally self-fertile.  I have it growing near some straight purple edulis (which are much more self-fertile), so there was likely some cross pollination.

[BeachGardener9a]

Did anyone in this thread every try out the Passiflora Iridescence? I just ordered one. https://www.brushwoodnursery.com/products/passiflora-iridescence

[Triloba Tracker]

Yes I had one for a few years.
It it vigorous as described and has a large deep purple flower.
The fruit are small and take a while to ripen. The flavor is more complex than incarnata but unfortunately much more tart. I didn’t care for it.

[BeachGardener9a]

I live in northwest Florida zone 9A. Do you think there are any varieties of Passiflora Edulis or hybrids that would do well here that actually have good flavor? I realize that there will likely be dieback each winter, but do you think it is worth attempting to grow in ground in my climate?


I read about the Frederick variety

[Triloba Tracker]

Unfortunately I’m not familiar with edulis varieties or environmental requirements.
Maybe over in the tropical section someone could assist.
Good luck!