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.
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.
Showy orange flowers Long flowering Attractive fruit Useful climber but not overly vigorous
This is a hardy plant which will grow in most soils provided it receives ample moisture.
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