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
Scientific Name:Billardiera scandens
Common Name:Apple Berry
Other Common Names:Apple Dumplings, Common Apple Berry
Plant Type:Small shrub, Ground cover, Climber
Height:0.2 ~ 1.5 metres
Width:0.5 ~ 3 metres
Flower Colour:White, Pink
Flowering Time:Spring, All year
Ph Level:Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type:Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Saline, Poor soil
Plant Environment:Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Cottage garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Climate Zone:Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean
Light:Sunny, Light shade, Half shade, Heavy shade
Growth Habit:Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading
Lifespan:Perennial
Soil Moisture:Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Frost Tolerance:Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage:Groundcover, Screen
Special Features:Edible, Decorative fruit, Honey producing plant, Pollution tolerant, Fast growing, Playground friendly
Attracts Wildlife:Bees, Nectar eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects

The information provided on the Gardening With Angus website is provided for general educational purposes about a variety of Australian plants. We recommend you seek further advice from qualified professionals regarding your own individual circumstances.  Further disclaimer information>>


WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT

Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-

 

The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW 

 

Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW

 

IndigiGrow- Sydney- NSW

 

Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW

 

Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW

 

Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW

 

Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW

 

Cool Country Natives – ACT

 

Geelong Native Plants – Victoria

 

Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria

 

Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland

 

Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland 

 

Zanthorrea Nursery – Perth WA

 

Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia

 

MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –

 

The Native Shop – mail order

 

Plants In A Box

 


 

 

Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.