About
Billardiera heterophylla 'Alba' is an evergreen climbing plant that can reach a height of 200 cm. It features elongated, lanceolate green leaves and produces drooping clusters of white blooms from mid-summer to autumn. After flowering, it bears cylindrical purple berries.
About the genus
Billardiera consists of evergreen climbing perennials that twine as they grow. They feature simple, alternate leaves and produce either solitary or clustered flowers that are bell-shaped. After flowering, the plants bear berries that are brightly colored.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass, grow in peat-free compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. During growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Maintain low to moderate humidity. Can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Apply a dry winter mulch. Provide support for climbing stems
- Pruning
- Pruning group 12 in late winter or early spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, sown at 10-16°C in spring, or strike softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. See propagate from cuttings (climbers) for further advice
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free