Billardiera scandens – Apple Berry

Billardiera scandens -apple berry
Billardiera scandens -apple berry
Billardiera scandens -apple berry

This native climber makes a fantastic garden and landscape plant as it grows in a wide range of conditions, taking the form of a groundcover, climber or small shrub in more open areas. Tough and adaptable, the non-invasive habit makes it a great plant for a variety of purposes. It will thrive with very little maintenance in good conditions, and can survive in harsh positions such as under Eucalyptus. The glossy green foliage makes it great as a feature plant and excellent for screening, and it makes a lovely climber when grown over other plants or a trellis. Works well as a dense groundcover for landscape or garden use and can be successfully grown in containers and hanging baskets. Clusters of bell-shaped pink and white flowers are produced throughout Spring, making a gorgeous display and providing nectar which attracts native birds such as Honeyeaters.

The common names of this versatile plant ‘apple berry’ or ‘apple dumplings’ come from it’s traditional use as a bush tucker plant. The attractive edible fruits appear through Summer and ripen from purple to yellow. They have a flavour described as somewhat similar to kiwifruit or stewed apple, they are eaten raw when fully ripened, or roasted if still green.

Family : Pittosporaceae

Cultivar Name:

Plant Type : Small shrub, Ground cover, Climber

Width : 3

Flowering Time : Spring, All year

Soil Type : Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Saline, Poor soil

Climate Zone : Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean

Growth Habit : Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading

Soil Moisture : Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage

Special Uses : Edible, Decorative fruit, Honey producing plant, Pollution tolerant, Fast growing, Playground friendly

Scientific Name: Billardiera scandens

Common Name : Apple Berry

Height : 1.5

Flower Color : White, Pink

pH Level : Acid, Neutral, Alkaline

Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Cottage garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant

Light : Sunny, Light shade, Half shade, Heavy shade

Lifespan : Perennial

Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost

Attracts Wildlife : Bees, Nectar eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects