Butterflies in Mind -- Zinnia
Susan C. Dunlap
A collection of 50 images as if seen from a butterfly’s point of view. Includes the names of native Zinnia species and the most complete list of US butterflies that will feed on Zinnia blossoms.
Butterflies in Mind -- Asclepias
Susan C. Dunlap
“Milkweed is the single most important plant for Monarch butterflies. This lavishly illustrated book contains details about the structure and cultivation of native Milkweeds, information about the 139 nectar-feeding butterflies they...
Butterflies in Mind -- Monarch
Susan C. Dunlap
This abundantly illustrated volume enables you to select from a complete list of well described perennial nectar plants that are known to attract & feed Monarch butterflies. Over 40 genera are described that are suitable to be grown...
Butterflies in Mind -- Perennials
Susan C. Dunlap
Butterflies in Mind - Perennials. This book is a definitive guide to perennial nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. It empowers you to feed, attract, support (and help identify) nectar-feeding butterflies that reside in the US....

Passiflora vitifolia

Family: Passifloraceae

Common names: PASSION FLOWER, RED GRANADILLA, RED PASSION FLOWER

Synonym: Passiflora vitifolia red passion flower

Native to: Central America, South America

Sentiment: faith

Plant

Type: vine

Form: spreading

Leaves evergreen

Max height: 0.00 feet

Max width: 16.4 feet

Flower

red, secondary color present, yellow

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species

Plant features: climbing vine, evergreen, growth rate fast, woody vine

Exposure: sun

Landscape uses: arbor, container, trellis or espalier

Fast growing

Propagates by: cutting, seed

flowers in fall

flowers in summer

Soil types: loam, well drained

USDA Zones: zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f, zone 11 to +40 f

Temp. range: +20 to above +40 °F

Water: moderate, regular

This gorgeous plant attracts adult butterflies - in particular Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) - a truly gorgeous butterfly with bright orange with black markings that is entirely dependent upon garden plants for survival. The moniker "wildlife" should be changed to "gardenlife" in this case. I have given this butterfly a choice between red and purple flowering Passiflora; in my neighborhood it chooses Passiflora vitifola Passionflower, a red-flowering vine. At a maximum of 16 feet, it is relatively short. Try it in a large container.

Passiflora also serves as a "host" plant for the eggs and larvae of Gulf Fritillary, Banded Orange Heliconian, Julia Heliconian, Isabella's Heliconian, Variegated Fritillary, Mexican Fritillary, Zebra Heliconian, Erato Heliconian, and the Mexican Silverspot. Given this abundance the chances are very high that if you can grow Passiflora then you will attract one of these fine creatures to your garden.

Passiflora vitifolia is a twining vine that does best if given support on a trellis or arbor. It can be grown in Zone 9. It needs to be protected from frost or it may die back. Even if it does die back to the ground, behaving as a deciduous vine, it will recover by mid spring. It beautiful complex blossoms, opening for a single day, will populate the vine throughout summer and fall.

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - vine

This plant is one of 25 vines suitable to grow in a container that can attract adult butterflies.

They can be found in large, medium-large and tiny heights - from less than a foot long to over 10 feet tall.

None are drought tolerant, as most of prefer moderate or regular watering. 7 are deciduous,19 are evergreen. Some can grow in Zones 3 and Zone 4, while the others grow in Zones 5-11. 23 can be grown in Zone 9.

Most vines are prostrate, so we set their height to "0" while registering the plant's potential length in the width category.