Sollya heterophylla – Bluebell Creeper

A twining shrub which can grow to 4 metres tall with support. Grown on its own it forms a dense shrubby habit. It has clusters of pendulous blue flowers from spring through summer. There are also selections with white or pink flowers, and ground cover forms.  Grows in sun to part shade. It readily seeds and can be spread far by birds, so it can become weedy and invasive to surrounding bushland, particularly in south east Australia, so plant with care or choose a sterile alternative like Billardiera heterophylla x parviflora ‘Edna Walling Blue Bells’. It is banned from sale in South Australia, and is a declared weed species which must be controlled.

This plant has had a name change and is now known as Billardiera heterophylla.


Plant Information

Plant Type - Large shrub, Climber
Common Name - Bluebell Creeper
Scientific Name - Sollya heterophylla
Family - Pittosporaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 0.5
Maximum Height - 4
Minimum Width - 1
Maximum Width - 4
Flower Colour - White, Blue, Pink
Flowering Time - Spring, Summer
pH Level - Acid, Neutral
Soil Type - Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam
Plant Environment - Courtyard, Cottage garden, Flower garden, Coastal garden
Climate Zone - Warm temperate, Cool temperate
Light - Sunny, Light shade
Growth Habit - Dense foliage, Spreading
Life Span - Perennial
Soil Moisture - Well-drained
Propagation Method - Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage - Screen
Special Uses - Fast growing
Attracts Wildlife - Seed eating birds
Angus Cultivar - No