Billardiera spp.
apple berry
Overview
Billardiera is a genus of evergreen twining shrubs and climbers in the family Pittosporaceae, native to Australia. The genus includes the apple berries, such as Billardiera scandens, and the bluebell creeper, Billardiera heterophylla, formerly placed in Sollya. Plants twine through surrounding vegetation by their slender stems, reaching 3-15 feet (0.9-4.5 m) depending on the species and support. The narrow leaves are alternate and evergreen. Pendent, bell-shaped flowers appear over a long season from spring into autumn, in greenish-yellow, cream, blue, or purple, depending on species. These are followed by fleshy, oblong to rounded berries that ripen yellow-green, blue, or purple and are edible in some species when fully ripe. Billardiera grows in heath, open forest, and scrub on well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. The genus is frost-tender and limited to mild, Mediterranean, and warm-temperate climates outdoors. Billardiera heterophylla has naturalized and become weedy in parts of southern and western Australia outside its native range.
Native Range
Native to Australia, in heathland, dry sclerophyll forest, and coastal scrub, with the greatest diversity in the south and southwest. Some species have spread beyond their native range within Australia.Suggested Uses
Grown on trellises, fences, and through shrubs in mild-climate gardens, and in containers that can be moved under cover in cold regions. The flowers and berries combine with other Australian and Mediterranean-climate plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 15'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-yellow, blue, or purpleFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Billardiera grows in full sun to part shade on light, well-drained soils and tolerates sandy and rocky ground. Plants need frost-free or nearly frost-free conditions and grow poorly in cold-winter climates except under glass. Established plants tolerate dry spells but flower and fruit more freely with occasional summer water. Light support such as wires or shrubs lets the twining stems climb. Propagation is by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering keeps the twining stems within bounds and maintains density. Plants tolerate trimming to shape and respond by branching. Older tangled growth is thinned out at the base.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons