Passiflora incarnata (Purple Passion Flower)

Also known as Maypop.

Native Purple Passionflower is as showy as it gets. Its blooms are large and exotic looking.

This attractive vine is a host plant for a number of butterflies. Butterfly caterpillars will defoliate the plant, but if established enough, they will not kill it. Passionflower spreads by root suckers, and it can pop up in unexpected places in the garden, often a long distance away. It can be controlled by removing the undesirable growth, but it requires regular, frequent effort as it grows and spreads quickly. Passionflower may be used on trellises, arbors, walls, or fences, or be allowed to trail on the ground.