Billardiera longiflora
| Billardiera longiflora | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Billardiera longiflora (common name: appleberry)
Propagation: 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[1]. 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.
Cultivation: Requires a moist well-drained humus-rich lime-free soil in a sheltered position in sun or semi-shade with a cool root run[2][3][4][1].
Plants are only hardy to about -5°c[5]. They succeed outdoors only in the mildest areas of Britain[6][2][7]. They can survive quite cold winters outdoors if given a suitable position[8]. They are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[9] though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer, wetter and colder winters. Mulching the roots in winter will provide extra protection for the plant and even if the top is cut back by the cold it might resprout from the base[1].
A very ornamental plant[6].The flowers are deliciously scented[10].
Any pruning is best done in spring[11].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria
Habitat: Damp forests and along the sides of streams[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw[2][9][12]. Aromatic, mealy and pleasant[13]. Remove the seeds before eating the fruit[13]. The fruit does not have a pulp[14] and is dry and boring[K]. The deep blue fruit is up to 25mm long[15].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves contain saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully lea
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.