Billardiera longiflora
Appleberry, Purple appleberry
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a tender plant with neat linear foliage, which twines its way about rocks or other plants. In summer it produces greenish yellow tubular bell-shaped pendulous flowers, carrying a sweet fragrance. The flowers turn pink or purple with age. These are followed by deep blue edible fruits and that in themselves make an interesting feature. They are oblong in shape and measure 2.5cm (1in) long. The blueberry is suited to warm sites or a conservatory. It is useful for areas where space is restricted.
- Flower colour
- Green, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Blue
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- North, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Prune after flowering
Remove any dead or damaged branches, or any growth that looks very untidy. Trim the plant back if necessary to keep it within bounds.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.