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Billardiera fusiformis

Australian bluebell

Pittosporaceae Southwestern Western Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Billardiera fusiformis is an evergreen twining climber in the Pittosporaceae family with slender stems reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m), often used as a low scrambling shrub when unsupported. The narrow lance-shaped leaves are 0.8-2 inches (2-5 cm) long, glossy green, and scattered along the wiry stems. Nodding clusters of bright blue, bell-shaped flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) long hang from the stems through summer and into autumn. Cylindrical blue to purple berries 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long follow and hold many small seeds. Growth is moderate to rapid, and the plant flowers within 1-2 years from seed. The twining stems need a support to climb or sprawl over low shrubs. Outside its native range it can self-seed into bushland, and it is treated as an environmental weed in parts of eastern Australia.

Native Range

Native to southwestern Western Australia, where it grows in jarrah forest, woodland, and coastal heath on sandy and gravelly soils. Widely cultivated and naturalized in southeastern Australia and other warm-temperate regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown on low trellises, fences, and over rocks and small shrubs, spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart, and as a sprawling container plant. The summer flowers draw native bees. The self-seeding habit limits its use near bushland in mild climates.

How to Identify

Recognized by nodding clusters of bright blue bell-shaped flowers and slender twining stems with narrow glossy leaves. The cylindrical blue to purple berries that follow separate it from other blue-flowered climbers. The five flower lobes curve back from a central cone of stamens.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 8'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers through summer and into autumn, roughly November to April in its native range. Bloom continues over 8-12 weeks, with flowers and developing berries present at the same time. Flowering is heaviest in full sun and lighter in shade.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on free-draining sandy or loamy soil with a support to twine on. Water during dry spells; established plants tolerate short dry periods but grow more steadily with some moisture. Light frost damages the soft stem tips, though the plant recovers in spring. Tip pruning keeps the growth dense and within bounds. The plant self-seeds and can spread into bushland in mild climates.

Pruning

Tip pruning through the growing season keeps the climber dense and limits its spread. Cutting back after flowering removes developing berries and reduces self-seeding. The plant reshoots readily from cut stems in warm weather.

Pruning Schedule

fall