Lilly pillies (species of Syzygium, Waterhousea and Acmena) are versatile evergreens. Think of them like rainforest edge type trees: they are fast‑growing, and thrive in moist (not wet) fertile soil in full sun to moderate shade. They’re very forgiving with their pruning; as long as they’re relatively healthy they can take anything from a light tip prune to the occasional hard coppice above the ground.
Comparing Cultivars
Acmena smithii ‘DOW30’ PBR Trade Name Sublime™
Bright lime-green Lilly Pilly tree ideal for privacy screens and hedging; produces few berries (low mess) and is drought and frost tolerant.
- Australian Plants Online: Tubestock; $18.25. https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/acmena-sublime.html
Syzygium australe ‘SAN01’ PBR Trade Name Straight and Narrow™
Ultra-slim Lilly Pilly hedge cultivar with dense foliage and narrow form; ideal for tight spaces. Highly psyllid resistant.
- The Plant Hub: 50 mm tube; $8.50. https://theplanthub.com.au/products/syzygium-straighjt-and-narrow-lilly-pilly
- Australian Plants Online: Tubestock; $8.25. https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/syzygium-straight-and-narrow-lilly-pilly.html
- The Plant Cellar: Tubestock; $12.90. https://theplantcellar.com.au/product/straight-and-narrow-syzygium-australe/
Waterhousea floribunda ‘DOW20’ PBR Trade Name Sweeper®
Tall, weeping Waterhousea with lime-green new growth and small white summer flowers; excellent specimen or screen tree.
- Australian Plants Online: Tubestock; $18.25. https://www.australianplantsonline.com.au/waterhousea-floribunda-sweeper-weeping-lillypilly.html
Care Considerations
Online plants usually come as small tubestock that will generally establish a better root system and outgrow larger potted plants. While they are young, you can plant twice as many as recommended to fill space and thin every second plant once their branches touch.