Native to southern Brazil and Argentina, this stunning passionflower is one of those must-have indispensible plants for creating that tropical Britain look. Passiflora caerulea is a vigourous vine, fully hardy in most parts of Great Britain, with lush exotic palmately lobed leaves and a stunning white and purple-blue flower which are produced throughout the summer and beyond. These flowers, with their ornate anthers and stamens and exquisite colouring are far too complex to describe, but in close-up they are truly magnificent and were the inspiration for many of William Morris' designs. When the vine covers a tree in a large drift they make a wonderful sight. They are followed in the autumn by gorgeous orange egg-shaped passionfruits which are edible although not particularly tasty.

Plant it where it can get the sun, ideally so it can drape itself over a tree or a large trellis and it will reward you for years.

Tough as old boots it survives extreme frosts and snow.