Passiflora incarnata is the hardiest passionflower in cultivation, native across the southeastern and south-central United States and hardy as far north as zone 5. It climbs readily by axillary tendrils in full sun to part shade, and in warm-winter climates develops a woody base; where winters are cold, it dies to the ground and resurfaces vigorously from its roots. The common name maypop references how the ripe fruit pops underfoot — a hollow, egg-sized fruit that is genuinely edible, with a sweet, slightly tart flesh enjoyed by people and wildlife alike.

The flowers are the main event: intricate lavender and white blooms with the radiating filamentous corona that gives the genus its nickname. They appear in spring and continue sporadically through summer, attracting bees and supporting several butterfly species including the Gulf fritillary as a larval host plant. Given good drainage and adequate sun, maypop spreads enthusiastically by root suckers and can cover a large area in optimum conditions — a loose mulch over the root zone helps moderate this spread. Pinching the vines back after the first season encourages a bushier habit if vertical growth is not the goal.