The Lilly Pilly is a popular evergreen tree or shrub native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, valued for its dual identity in modern horticulture. This versatile plant is widely known for its attractive, dense foliage that makes it a top choice for garden screening and hedging. Beyond its ornamental appeal, the Lilly Pilly also produces showy flowers and edible berries, bridging the gap between a decorative landscape plant and a source of bush tucker. Its combination of fast growth, colorful new foliage, and adaptability has made it a favorite for gardeners seeking year-round visual interest and utility.
Defining the Lilly Pilly Tree
The common name Lilly Pilly is applied to a group of plants primarily within the genus Syzygium, but it also includes species from the genera Acmena and sometimes Waterhousea, all belonging to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The botanical classification can be confusing, as some species formerly classified as Acmena have been reclassified into Syzygium. These plants are characterized by their glossy, evergreen leaves, which often emerge in striking shades of bronze, pink, or red before maturing to a deep green.
A distinct feature of the Lilly Pilly is the appearance of fluffy, cream-white flowers that bloom in clusters and attract pollinators. These blooms are followed by fleshy, berry-like fruit that vary significantly in size and color, ranging from white and pale pink to deep red, purple, or magenta. A common issue for many varieties is damage from the Lilly Pilly Psyllid, a tiny insect that causes unsightly, pimple-like distortions, or galls, on the soft, new foliage. While the presence of these galls identifies susceptible varieties, many newer cultivars are bred for resistance.
Common Uses in Landscaping and Cuisine
Lilly Pillies are a highly prized landscape plant due to their dense growth habit and responsiveness to pruning. Their thick, evergreen foliage makes them an excellent choice for creating natural privacy screens, windbreaks, and formal hedges that offer year-round structure. Gardeners often shape them into various forms, including topiary sculptures and standards, or use compact varieties in containers for patios and balconies. The dense canopy also serves to reduce noise, which is beneficial in urban or suburban settings.
Many species of Lilly Pilly produce edible berries that are valued for their culinary applications. The fruit is crisp, fleshy, and possesses a tart, slightly acidic flavor profile, often compared to a light apple or cranberry. While not typically eaten fresh, they are perfect for processing into jams, jellies, and sauces. The berries are naturally high in pectin, a substance that helps jams set without the need for additional thickeners.
Essential Cultivation and Care
Lilly Pillies are tough and adaptable, but they perform best when their specific environmental needs are met. They thrive in positions that receive full sun to partial shade, with full sun encouraging the densest growth and the most vibrant color in the new foliage. As native rainforest plants, they prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter, though they can tolerate clay if drainage is adequate. Poorly drained or waterlogged conditions can lead to root problems.
Newly planted Lilly Pillies require regular watering to establish a strong root system. Once established, they become more drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture supports lush growth and fruit production. Fertilization should be done at least twice a year in spring and autumn using a slow-release fertilizer suitable for native plants to promote healthy foliage. Pruning is important for maintaining the plant’s shape and density, especially when grown as a hedge. Regular tip pruning encourages bushier growth, and hedges should be trimmed narrower at the top so that sunlight reaches the lower branches.
The most common pest issue is the Lilly Pilly Psyllid, which causes characteristic bubbling or pitting on the leaves. While this damage is mostly cosmetic, it can be avoided by selecting a psyllid-resistant cultivar. For susceptible varieties, control involves pruning off and disposing of the affected new growth, or using an insecticidal spray. Maintaining plant health with proper watering and feeding also helps reduce susceptibility to pests.
Key Varieties of Lilly Pilly
Extensive breeding has produced many Lilly Pilly cultivars, each with unique features that suit different garden needs. A popular choice for tight spaces is ‘Straight & Narrow’ (Syzygium australe), which exhibits a columnar growth habit, reaching up to eight meters tall while maintaining a slender width of about one to one-and-a-half meters. This narrow form makes it ideal for screening along fences or driveways where space is limited.
In contrast, the variety ‘Big Red’ is known for its large, glossy leaves and vibrant red new growth, providing a striking color contrast against the mature green foliage. ‘Big Red’ is a robust choice for a dense, high-impact hedge or feature plant. For gardeners prioritizing pest resistance, varieties like ‘Resilience’ and Acmena smithii cultivars, such as ‘Sublime’, are highly valued because they are naturally resistant to the psyllid. ‘Sublime’ is also noted for its attractive lime-green new foliage and dense habit, making it an excellent, low-maintenance screening plant.