Billardiera longiflora
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CLIMBING BLUEBERRY, PURPLE APPLE BERRY
Family: Pittosporaceae
Pronounced: bi-lar-dee-EH-ra long-gi-FLOW-ra
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
New South Wales and Tasmania.
Plant Group:
Vines.
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Mature size: Height: 6-10 feet (1-3 m).
Flowering period: Summer.
Flowering attributes: Yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers turning to lavender as it ages.
Leaf attributes: Lance-shaped, dark green leaves.
Growth habit: Evergreen climber.
Light: Sun to partial shade.
Soil: Humus rich, moist, but well-drained soil.
Feeding: Mulch well with composted manure or compost. Feed once a month with a complete organic fertilizer during the growing season.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed as soon as ripe in autumn. | Softwood cuttings in early summer.
Pruning Methods: Prune after fruiting; only neccessary for rejuvenation or to keep confined to its space.
Rainy Side Notes
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Billardiera was named after the French botanist, J. J. de Labillardiere. Longiflora means long flowering.
This vine looks great in my garden climbing a Nandina domestica. You can train this vine up a trellis, up a tree, or through shrubs. At the nursery where I photographed this specimen, it grows handsomely over a rustic twig fence. However you grow it, you will want to protect it from cold winds. Once established the vine is drought tolerant.
The vine received the Order of Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed at Savage Plant & Landscape, Kingston, Washington.
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