Author Topic: Passion Flower "Iridescence"  (Read 4005 times)

Triloba Tracker

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Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« on: February 15, 2016, 09:10:57 AM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2016, 10:38:06 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2016, 12:22:11 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2016, 04:08:58 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2016, 08:02:28 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2016, 05:25:43 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2024, 08:54:40 PM »
Did anyone in this thread every try out the Passiflora Iridescence? I just ordered one. https://www.brushwoodnursery.com/products/passiflora-iridescence

Triloba Tracker

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2024, 09:08:33 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2024, 09:18:04 PM »
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

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2024, 05:28:33 PM »
Unfortunately I’m not familiar with edulis varieties or environmental requirements.
Maybe over in the tropical section someone could assist.
Good luck!

a_Vivaldi

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2025, 11:11:20 AM »
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?

Here's a post from the breeder describing it.

https://growingfruit.org/t/hardy-passiflora-maypop-too-good-to-be-true/44546/115


jbtx1234

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Re: Passion Flower "Iridescence"
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2025, 10:55:48 AM »
I've grown this for years. It is beautiful and prolific with its flowers. The fritillaries love it and it is vigorous enough to shake off their destruction.  It has spread 50 feet over time and pops up everywhere. It freezes to the ground but has easily recovered from the big Texas freeze a few years ago with no problem (single digits, lots of ice). It does contract virus easily which you can tell in the spring with yellow mottling on the foliage but becomes asymptomatic as the season progresses.  The fruit are almost nonexistent for me.

 

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