Lilly Pilly

Winter Lights Lilly Pilly is a quick-growing, evergreen tree that produces young shoots in colours of bronze, orange and red. The leaves mature to a deep green that highlight the delicate, creamy-white flowers. The flowers attract bees, beneficial insects and birds before developing into edible berries. Lilly Pillys are a native plant ideally suited as hedges and screens- they add structure, privacy and everchanging foliage to the garden. 

Soil: Moist, well-draining soils. 
Conditions: Full sun and light shade conditions. Tolerant of drought, frosts and coastal conditions.
Size: Height 3m x width 1.5m

Backyard Bliss is a standout lilly pilly variety, producing small, fragrant, fluffy white flowers in summer, followed by edible red to pink berries in winter. Both the flowers and fruit attract native birds and bees, adding life and movement to the garden. The berries can be harvested and used to make jams, cordials, sauces or jellies. With its dense growth and glossy foliage, Backyard Bliss matures into a lush, attractive hedge or a beautiful large shrub—perfect for filling space and creating privacy in the garden.

Soil: Does well in a wide range of soils. 

Conditions: Full sun and part shade. Coastal, frost and drought tolerant.

Size: Height 3-4m x width 1m

Syzygium wilsonii Powder Puff is a striking Australian native shrub or small tree valued for its colourful foliage and dramatic flowers. The new growth emerges in vivid shades of pink to red-bronze, creating a beautiful contrast against the mature green foliage. In summer the plant becomes especially eye-catching when large crimson to pink-red pompom flowers appear in fluffy clusters along the branches. These are followed in autumn by pure white berries that are considered bush-tucker fruit when cooked. It can be grown as a feature shrub, informal hedge, screen, or even in a large container. In its natural rainforest understorey habitat it can be somewhat open in habit, but in brighter garden positions with regular watering and pruning it becomes much denser and bushier, producing more abundant flowers. Regular pruning will encourage a fuller shape and maintain the desired height, and the plant can be hard-pruned if needed to keep it around 2 m. 

Soil: Well-drained soil. It is sensitive to drought, so a thick layer of mulch is essential to keep its roots cool and moist.

Conditions: Dappled shade to part shade/full shade. For best results plant in a sheltered position protected from strong winds and harsh, all-day hot sun. 

Size: Height 5m x width 4m

Syzygium australe Hinterland Gold is a fast-growing, dense lilly pilly with mid-sized glossy green leaves that develop a lovely coppery hue in the new growth. The lilly pilly produces fluffy flowers in the summer months, followed by red-purple berries. Hinterland Gold is a great feature, screen, hedge and topiary plant, and responds well to pruning. Mulch well to cut down weed problems, and feed with a good all-purpose fertiliser in warm months.

Soil: Most well-drained soils.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Drought and coastal hardy.
Size: Height 4m x width 1.5m