On the other hand, people like me plant these things knowing it will be larval
food for certain butterflies. The plants always recover. This is how
phenology works.


On 25 May 2003 09:48:23 -0700, (Steve Coyle) wrote:

Howdy folks,
I'm a big fan of the Passion Vine, "Incense". I have a fence about
ten feet long planted two years ago. Smells good, and has been more
cold hardy than other types I've tried. Over this last winter it
stayed semi-evergreen ( but looked ratty ) and then came back strong
in March. Mine started blooming about two weeks ago. ( Like Roses, I
get the most blooms where the vine is running horizontally along the
fence )

The big problem I've had with Passion Vines is the spikey brown
catapiller that chews them up, and I stay alert for them to arrive as
they do so every year for handpicking. If you are not on top of it,
they can devestate the plant.

If you want to see what the Red one looks like you can visit the
East Side Cafe where the head gardener ( OK maybe the only gardener )
Joe Cirrone has a big planting of the red one on an arbor out in the
back demonstration garden.
Steve Coyle
www.austingardencenter.com