Billardiera cymosa aka Billardiera Cymosa

Billardiera cymosa, or sweet appleberry, is an evergreen climber. It belongs to the Pittosporaceae family. Its native range spans southeastern South Australia and western Victoria. Kew lists it as a plant of subtropical climates. It grows in woodland, mallee, and coastal heath. These habitats include sites with sandy soil. Its leaves stay on the plant throughout the year.

The flowers have both male and female organs. The fruit reaches about 0.05 feet [0.015 metres] long. It has an aniseed taste and can be eaten raw. Cooking offers another way to use the fruit. Plants For A Future gives its food value two out of five. That source lists no known hazards for this species. This does not establish safety for pets or every plant part. It also lists no known medicinal or other uses.

In gardens, give this climber moist soil that drains well. Plants For A Future recommends humus-rich soil without lime. Sandy soil and loam both suit it. The listed pH range runs from mildly acid to neutral. Grow it in sun or partial shade, keeping the roots cool. A woodland edge or a spot with dappled shade can suit it. The source also suggests sites beside south-facing or west-facing walls. These offer further options for placing it in a garden.

Cold tolerance depends on more than the lowest winter temperature. Australian garden reports place survival at least as low as −7°C. That figure does not give a firm guide for Britain. British summers are cooler, while winters stay cold and wet longer. Greenhouse protection may therefore be needed there. A chosen site in a mild area may allow outdoor growth. Winter mulch can help protect the roots from cold. If frost kills the top, growth may return from the base.

Fresh seed is best sown promptly in a warm greenhouse. Cover it with only a thin layer of growing medium. Sow stored seed in early spring under the same warm conditions. Fresh seed can sprout well; stored seed may take a year. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Keep young plants under glass through their first winter. Plant out after the last frost in late spring or early summer. Half-ripe heel cuttings and layering are further ways to raise plants.