Billardiera cymosa – Sweet Apple Berry

Billardiera cymosa - sweet apple berry

Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist

A gorgeous light climbing plant with decorative flowers and small, sweet edible fruits, which can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a sweet aniseed taste. Easy to grow in a small garden, it will grow to a shrub in an open setting, or a light climber if given something to climb on. Likes a sunny spot with medium to light well drained soils. It is frost hardy, but if the plant does become damaged from hard frost, it can be cut back and may resprout from the base. Drip irrigation is beneficial in dry times.
There are a few different colour forms, from white to red to blue flowers, and these can be cultivated from cuttings. Propagation is also from seed.

Family : Pittosporaceae

Cultivar Name:

Plant Type : Small shrub, Climber

Width : 3

Flowering Time : Spring

Soil Type : Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Potting mix

Climate Zone : Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool

Growth Habit : Evergreen, Open foliage, Spreading

Soil Moisture : Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage

Special Uses : Edible, Decorative fruit, Fast growing, Playground friendly

Scientific Name: Billardiera cymosa

Common Name : Sweet Apple Berry

Height : 2

Flower Color : White, Blue, Red, Purple

pH Level : Neutral

Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Container growing, Cottage garden, Flower garden, Cold climate

Light : Sunny, Light shade

Lifespan : Perennial

Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost

Attracts Wildlife : Seed eating birds, Lizards