HERE'S MY FAVORITE TROPICAL FLOWER: HAPPY MACRO MONDAY

Passiflora vitifolia ~ Crimson Passion Flower

It was such a pretty day that we took a walk through the Houston Heights. The Heights is filled with small bungalows and many contain cottage gardens. This is only the second time I've seen Red Passion Flower here in Houston and it almost took my breath away. If you look closely, there's a ladybug underneath the petals.

Sadly, because this is not a native, the Gulf Fritillary butterfly skips over it when looking for host Passifloras.

If I'm wrong, please update me. These leaves seemed untouched by caterpillars.

To see more mighty MACROS, visit our gracious host, Lisa, at http://lisaschaos.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

David/:-)

Footnote: There are at least 4 scarlet/red Passifloras. My best guess is vitifolia since the leaves are 3 lobed and highly serrated, hence the name vitifolia...foliage like grape leaves.

Growth requirements: Is root hardy in zone 9 and easily grown in zones 10 and 11. Very vigorous in full sun and can even be considered invasive! Hundreds of flowers once vines are established. Fruit is edible in some species. Native to Central and South America. Passiflora miniata is also like this one, only with black interior spikes.

A SMALL VICTORY OVER THE SUMMER DROUGHT

It's natural for a gardener to care more for some plants than others. And we've all lost a plant that has caused us more agony than we'd like to admit. One such plant that I DIDN'T lose is our Norfolk Island Pine. I was mostly concerned about days where we reached 105 degrees plus. I know this plant is from a tropical island, but I would guess most islands would have those nice cool breezes coming off the ocean. Well, I have good news; Norfolk Island Pines can endure temperatures as high as 105 and humidities that bottom out at 25% and still look good. I was vigilant about keeping it well watered since this is our living Christmas tree. That's why I'd be very sad to lose it. It's one small victory over this drought.

It adds one or two layers of branches each year. The cooler weather has started a new layer of growth.

Here's my brother being silly in 2009. At first everyone laughed at my idea, but that's okay. I've grown a number of these up to 8 feet tall over my life time.

Here it is in 2010. They sell Norfolk Island Pines in groups so that the pot will look fuller. There are actually 5 trees in this one. I've repotted it 3 times in the past years.

Here it is in the backyard. Always protect from frost. It can take down to  28 F (-2.2C)  to 30 (-1.1C) degrees F, but I'd rather not test fate. Bring it in if there's frost danger.

It can grow in full sun, but I grow ours in dappled light under a pecan tree. It gets full sun in winter.

There are large, outdoor Norfolk Island Pines on Galveston Island, Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, Fort Myers, Florida, and probably in the Rio Grande Valley. We had some 20 to 30 feet high here in Houston before the hard freezes two years ago.

Thanks for stopping by.

David/ :-)