Passionflower Refuge

Many of you know about my little native passion flower (Passiflora leutea L) - if not, then read about it in the July 12 post. It's now in full bloom and looking quite beautiful.

Yesterday I discovered another passionflower in the yard. I planted this one years ago but thought it had died. It is from a local nursery who didn't think it would be hardy. If I'm correct, these are "maypops" (Passiflora incarnata), another southeast native.

Now I know it had taken refuge in the neighbor's yard because it peaked over the fence today.

I've been watching the pollinators on the native species. It's interesting but they attract a different set of bees than the other plants. The small yellow passionflower attracts a black, waspish-looking bee and these maypops are attracting these really large bees. Often more than one at a time. I'm glad we're building the community of bugs.