Family: Pittosporaceae

This genus consists of some 30 species, mainly twining plants, all native to Australia. These delicate climbers are grown for their beautiful bell-shaped or starry flowers and showy, succulent berries, once a favourite of the Aboriginals. When in flower and fruit, they attract birds to the garden. Because they are not invasive, they are useful plants, and are equally at home in the garden or in pots, or can even be used as a groundcover.

Species

Not all are available outside their native Australia.

B. bicolor, painted Billardiera, is a shrubby twiner from Western Australia suitable for a small trellis. It has lance-shaped, wavy-edged leaves which are blue-gray and very showy, open-petalled flowers in white, cream or yellow, striped with violet. Small purple berries follow the flowers.

B. cymosa, sweet appleberry, grows naturally in the dry inland of Australia. A slender, shrubby twiner, it has lance-shaped, shiny leaves, open starry flowers in colours ranging from cream and greenish white to red, purple and pinkish violet. The oblong red berries have a pleasant acidic taste. New colour forms produce bright green flowers and delicate blue flowers.

B. erubescens, from Western Australia, is a fine, moderately vigorous climber with shiny, dark green, oval leaves and clusters of large, bright red, tubular flowers over a long period in summer. With support, this species can reach 3-5 m (10-16 ft).

B. longiflora is native to the cool, moist forests of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. This species has shiny, narrow, dark green leaves and pendent tubular flowers in bright greenish yellow, sometimes with purplish colour along the edges of the petals. The shiny, purple or red, oblong berries grow to 2 cm (1 in) in length. This is the purple appleberry which is favored for its fruit.

B. ringens, Chapman creeper, is native to Western Australia. This fine climber or creeper, with longish, dark green leaves, grows to 5 m (16 ft). The orange flowers in dense clusters of up to twenty flowers turn deep red. As the youngest opens from the middle, a superb colour effect is created. The flowers from winter to autumn are followed by small, dry fruits.

B. scandens, common appleberry, is a non-vigorous twiner. The most common of the eastern species, it has narrow, wavy-edged leaves and bell-shaped, pendulous flowers in greenish yellow, often tinged with purple stripes. The oblong yellow-green berries have a sweet acidic taste. The flowers and fruits develop on the plant over a long period.

Cultivation

These climbers are ideal for a cool greenhouse or conservatory in frost-prone climates. They need lime-free compost or soil and bright light. Outdoors, these plants prefer moist, improved soils, although B. scandens will grow in most soils, even clay, and B. cymosa can tolerate limy soils. However they like morning sun or filtered sunlight and can adapt well to semi-shade. Propagate from the ripened seeds of the fleshy fruits, and sow in a coarse sand and peat mix. With the exception of B. scandens, the seeds may not germinate easily, some taking up to twelve months. Cuttings are more reliable. Take 10-15 cm (4-6 in) cuttings of semi-ripened wood in summer or autumn, with lower leaves removed.

Climate

Suitable for outdoors in zone 9. B. longiflora will take zone 8.