Common Appleberry
Billardiera scandens
Family: Pittosporaceae
What it is like
Billardiera scandens is an evergreen Climber growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
By mountain streams or scrub country in forests, by coasts and on tablelands.
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked. Unripe fruits can be roasted. A pleasant sub-acid flavour akin to dried apples. Tastes like kiwi fruits (Actinidia deliciosa). The fruits are up to 2.5cm long.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a moist, well-drained, humus-rich, lime-free soil in sun or semi-shade with a cool root run. This species usually requires greenhouse protection in Britain, but plants can succeed outdoors on a wall in mild areas of the country. They tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Only just cover the seed. Sow stored seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. The germination of fresh seed is usually prolific, but stored seed can take a year to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 12cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist