Billardiera mutabilis
common apple-berry
Overview
Billardiera mutabilis is a light evergreen twining climber or scrambler that reaches 1-3 m (3-10 ft) where it has support, native to eastern and southern Australia. Slender wiry stems wind through surrounding shrubs and carry narrow, often wavy-edged leaves 1.5-5 cm (0.6-2 in) long. From spring into summer it hangs single tubular, bell-shaped flowers about 2 cm (0.8 in) long; these open greenish-cream to pale yellow and often change to pink or purple as they age, the source of the species name mutabilis. The flowers are followed by cylindrical green-yellow berries 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) long that are edible when soft and sweet, and are taken by birds. It grows in open forest, woodland, and heath on a range of well-drained soils in part shade to sun and tolerates short dry spells once established. The plant is light and never heavy enough to smother its host, but it can become tangled and needs a frame or shrub to climb. Frost damages soft growth, and it grows poorly in heavy, wet soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia, occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, where it grows in open forest, woodland, and heath, scrambling through shrubs on many well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a light climber on trellis, fences, and through open shrubs in native and cottage gardens, and in habitat plantings where the berries feed birds. The edible fruit suits bushfood interest. Trained on a support and spaced about 1 m (3 ft) apart.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3'4" - 9'10"
Width/Spread1'8" - 4'11"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Bell-shaped flowers hang from the stems from spring into summer, roughly September to January, opening pale and changing colour as they age so several shades show at once. Flowering is scattered over many weeks. Cylindrical berries ripen from late summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish-cream to yellow, ageing pink to purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-7 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
Grow in part shade to full sun on well-drained loam or sandy soil with moderate moisture, giving the wiry stems a shrub, frame, or trellis to twine through. Water through establishment and dry spells, after which it copes with short dry periods. A light trim keeps the growth from tangling and shapes the plant to its support. It needs little feeding. Frost damages soft new growth, so it performs in milder and coastal districts. Heavy, waterlogged soils cause poor growth.Pruning
Trim lightly at any time to untangle the stems, control spread, and train growth onto a support. The plant reshoots readily from semi-hard wood. Cut older, woody, bare stems back in late winter to prompt fresh growth from the base.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons