The genus Billardiera is named in honour of the French botanist La Billardiere, and includes about twenty species of handsome climbing plants. Don looked at a member of the group called Billardiera ringens, a moderately vigorous twiner with glorious orange/yellow flowers.
Plant details
Common name: Billardiera
Botanical name: Billardiera ringens
Description: Australian native climber with light green leaves and tight clusters of orange flowers in spring.
Best climate: Billardieras grow best in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and inland areas. They are also worth a try in Sydney and Hobart.
Good points:
Showy orange flowers Long flowering Attractive fruit Useful climber but not overly vigorous
Care:
This is a hardy plant which will grow in most soils provided it receives ample moisture.
Getting started:
Another billardiera, Billardiera cymosa is sometimes stocked by nurseries, but Billardiera ringens may be difficult to find. If your local nursery can’t help, try a specialist native plant nursery, such as:
NSW: Annangrove Grevilleas Native Nursery, Kenthurst, NSW. Phone: (02) 9654 1380
Cranebrook Native Nursery, Cranebrook, NSW. Phone: (02) 4777 4256
Sydney Wildflower Nursery West, Marsden Park, NSW. Phone: (02) 9628 4448
Sydney Wildflower Nursery South, Heathcote, NSW. Phone: (02) 9548 2818
QLD: Fairhill Native Plants, Yandina, QLD. Phone: (07) 5446 7088
Nielsen’s Native Nursery, Loganholme, QLD. Phone: (07) 3806 1414
VIC: Kuranga Native Nursery, Ringwood, VIC. Phone: (03) 9879 4076
SA: Nellie Nursery, Mannum, SA. Phone: (08) 8569 1762
WA: Zanthorrea Nursery, Maida Vale, WA. Phone: (08) 9454 6260
