This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained or large pots filled with loam-based compost
• Rate of growth: fast
• Flowering period: June to August
• Hardiness: tender (will need winter protection)
  
  Spectacular, bowl-shaped white flowers 10cm (4”) across, with symbolic thorn-shaped stamens, a halo of white sepals and crowned with white coronal filaments, stained a deep purple towards the base. The egg-shaped, edible purple fruits of this tender, vigorous climber contain sweet orange pulp and black seeds, ripening after a reliably long and warm summer. A native of tropical and sub-tropical regions in Brazil, it will be happiest when trained against a very sheltered, south-facing wall or grown in a large pot and kept in a conservatory or greenhouse.
  
  
• Garden care: Water freely during the growing season, but cut back a little in winter. Keep frost free in winter (they prefer temperatures no lower than 10°C) and remove dead, misplaced or overcrowded stems in spring.