Lilly pilly

Syzygium spp. · Myrtaceae

The most popular native hedge.

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours ideal) to part shade.
Soil: Well-drained; avoid waterlogged or heavy clay soil.
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (about 6.0-7.0).
Water: Moderate. Keep moist while establishing; deep, less frequent watering once established.
Hardiness: Best in tropical, subtropical and frost-free warm temperate zones. Some cultivars tolerate light frost; protect from heavy frost.
Height and spread: About 1 m (dwarf cultivars) to 10 m+ depending on species (e.g. S. australe 3-8 m x 3-5 m).

Guv's tipClip lilly pilly hedges regularly through the growing season. Pimple psyllid about? Trim off affected growth, or grow resistant cultivars.

Through the year

When to plant

Spring (also autumn).

Harvest or flowering

Fluffy flowers (white, cream, yellow or pink by species), followed by edible pink, red or purple berries, usually ripe late summer-early autumn.

Pruning

Clip hedges regularly through the growing season (roughly late winter to March). Tolerates hard pruning.

Making more plants

Semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone during the growing season; fresh seed.

Watch out for

Pest

Pimple psyllid

Look for: Pimple-like bumps and distortion on new leaves.

What to do: Trim off affected growth; grow psyllid-resistant cultivars.

Disease

Myrtle rust

Austropuccinia psidii

Look for: Egg-yolk yellow spore masses on new growth, turning red-purple then brown; tip dieback.

What to do: Remove and bag infected growth and avoid spreading spores. Grow resistant selections; use a registered fungicide if severe.

Always read and follow the label on any treatment, and check it is approved for use where you live.

Safety and spread

Pets and people: Berries are edible. Not on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Eating many berries may cause mild stomach upset in dogs.

Weed risk: Not listed as a weed on Weeds Australia or NSW WeedWise.

Checked against two or more reputable gardening sources. How we check our facts

Keep it by the back door

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