Australia's favourite native screen — glossy evergreen leaves flushed coppery-red when new, clipping into dense hedges and topiary, followed by edible magenta berries the birds love.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 4 m H × 2.5 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Lilly Pilly
Botanically, Syzygium australe is a fast-growing shrub in the Myrtaceae family, native to New South Wales and Queensland. It reaches around 4 m tall and 2.5 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. White flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Lilly Pilly
Lilly Pilly suits subtropical, warm-temperate and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds.
Soil & planting
Lilly Pilly does best in clay and free-draining soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 1.5 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Lilly Pilly does best with regular, moderate watering. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. For the first year, favour occasional deep watering over frequent shallow drinks so roots move into the surrounding soil.
Pruning & care
Prune Lilly Pilly after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Expect a low maintenance care workload once it is established.
Using Lilly Pilly in the garden
Lilly Pilly earns its place for a fast screen or informal hedge, a feature or specimen planting, clipping into topiary, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden and edible harvests.
Companion planting & design
For easier irrigation and care, group Lilly Pilly with species that also favour regular, moderate watering and subtropical climate. Leave enough room for the mature spread so neighbouring plants are not crowded out. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Lilly Pilly
Plant Sale lists Lilly Pilly as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Catalogue forms are planning guidance until the Plant Sale team confirms live availability.
