Billardiera longiflora
Appleberry, Purple appleberry
- Height × spread
- 2m – 2m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A somewhat tender, climbing shrubby plant with small but intriguing green flowers followed by rounded fruits. The fruits are coloured blue in the species. The cultivars yield fruits with colours in purple, red, pink and white. It has small slender leaves and the whole plant has a somewhat appealing, vulnerable look. It needs a sheltered position with protection from strong winds and that has some shade for part of the day. This can be grown through other shrubs or on a warm wall.
- Flower colour
- Green, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Blue
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2m – 2m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover
- 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.
Planting & general
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.