Lilly Pillys are an Australian Native and the perfect choice for hedging and screening in Australia. They are versatile, hardy and come in an incredible range of varieties to suit almost any garden need.
However, with so many different Lilly Pilly varieties out there, it can be confusing which one to choose!
We have designed this guide to help you find the perfect variety for your specific requirements.
Lilly Pillys are an Australian Native and the perfect choice for hedging and screening in Australia. They are versatile, hardy and come in an incredible range of varieties to suit almost any garden need.
However, with so many different Lilly Pilly varieties out there, it can be confusing which one to choose!
We have designed this guide to help you find the perfect variety for your specific requirements.
>> Lilly Pillys Come Under Three Species
Lilly Pillys are split into three different species, each with their own characteristics:
- Acmena – Great for hedging & screening
- Syzygium – Most diverse range with many colour and size options for hedging & screening
- Waterhousea – Elegant weeping varieties, great as taller screening trees
Lilly Pillys are split into three different species, each with their own characteristics:
- Acmena – Great for hedging & screening
- Syzygium – Most diverse range with many colour and size options for hedging & screening
- Waterhousea – Elegant weeping varieties, great as taller screening trees
❋ Great All Rounders & Popular Varieties
If you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, these popular varieties are reliable performers that work beautifully in most Australian gardens:
If you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, these popular varieties are reliable performers that work beautifully in most Australian gardens:
❋ Taller Heights (More Than 4–5m)
If you need your Lilly Pillys to reach impressive heights for screening or creating a statement, these varieties are your taller options:
If you need your Lilly Pillys to reach impressive heights for screening or creating a statement, these varieties are your taller options:
❋ Narrow Growers
Got a skinny garden bed? These narrow-growing varieties are perfect for confined spaces without sacrificing height or impact:
Syzygium australe 'Pinnacle'
Got a skinny garden bed? These narrow-growing varieties are perfect for confined spaces without sacrificing height or impact:
❋ Dwarf Varieties (Up to 1m Tall)
Perfect for shorter hedging requirements, containers or as underplanting:
Syzygium australe 'Baby Boomer'
Perfect for shorter hedging requirements, containers or as underplanting:
❋ Green Only Foliage
If you prefer classic green foliage without colourful new growth:
If you prefer classic green foliage without colourful new growth:
❋ Brighter Pops of Coloured Foliage
Add visual interest with vibrant red, purple and pink new growth:
Acmena smithii 'Purple Rain'
Add visual interest with vibrant red, purple and pink new growth:
❋ No Berries
❋ Coloured Flowers (Other Than White)
Mostly all Lilly Pillys have white flowers, for pink powder puff flowers -
Mostly all Lilly Pillys have white flowers, for pink powder puff flowers -
❋ More Cold/Light Frost Tolerant Varieties
If you're in a cooler climate zone, these varieties are your best bet:
Acmena smithii 'Forest Flame'
If you're in a cooler climate zone, these varieties are your best bet:
❋ For Shade
Most Lilly Pilly varieties prefer and thrive in full sun. The good news is the majority of varieties listed above will cope with part shade conditions but will need some sun.
Most Lilly Pilly varieties prefer and thrive in full sun. The good news is the majority of varieties listed above will cope with part shade conditions but will need some sun.
❋ Coastal/Salt Tolerance
If you're planting near the coast or in salt-spray areas:
Syzygium australe 'Elite'
If you're planting near the coast or in salt-spray areas:
❋ For a Relaxed Natural Look
If you want a more relaxed aesthetic without the need for regular hedging go with one of the cascading varieties:
If you want a more relaxed aesthetic without the need for regular hedging go with one of the cascading varieties:
❋ For Less Maintenance
Choose varieties that hold their form naturally or have a more relaxed growth habit:
Syzygium 'Straight & Narrow' – Tighter, more upright form that holds its shapeWaterhousea floribunda – Weeping nature, leave in natural form if you have the spaceSyzygium 'Cascade' – More relaxed foliage with weeping nature
Choose varieties that hold their form naturally or have a more relaxed growth habit:
❋ For a Standalone Lilly Pilly (Feature Tree)
❋ More of a Tree Form
If you want a structured tree silhouette rather than a hedge:
If you want a structured tree silhouette rather than a hedge:
>> Caring for Your Lilly Pillys
Common Pests & Treatment
Psyllid
Most Lilly Pilly varieties are resistant to psyllid (a sap-sucking insect that causes pimpling on leaves). However, Waterhousea floribunda is susceptible but can be easily treated if needed.
Most Lilly Pilly varieties are resistant to psyllid (a sap-sucking insect that causes pimpling on leaves). However, Waterhousea floribunda is susceptible but can be easily treated if needed.
Scale
✓ Treatment: Use White Oil spray
✓ Treatment: Use White Oil spray
Sooty Mould (Black Coating)
✓ Treatment: Use Neem or White Oil
✓ Treatment: Use Neem or White Oil
Comped Leaves (Lilly Pilly Beetle)
✓ Treatment: Use Neem or Eco Oil
✓ Treatment: Use Neem or Eco Oil
Myrtle Rust
✓ Treatment: Cut off affected leaves and spray with a fungicide
✓ Treatment: Cut off affected leaves and spray with a fungicide
General Care Tips
✓ Key to Healthy Plants: Remember that pests and disease are more attracted to unhealthy plants. By following these care practices, you can help eradicate any pests or disease taking hold.
✓ Key to Healthy Plants: Remember that pests and disease are more attracted to unhealthy plants. By following these care practices, you can help eradicate any pests or disease taking hold.
Fertilizing
In spring, use a slow-release fertilizer and add in some compost or aged manure to provide essential nutrients and organic matter.
In spring, use a slow-release fertilizer and add in some compost or aged manure to provide essential nutrients and organic matter.
Mulching
Place a layer of approximately 5–8cm of organic mulch such as sugar cane mulch around your plants. Keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent collar rot.
Place a layer of approximately 5–8cm of organic mulch such as sugar cane mulch around your plants. Keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent collar rot.
Watering
Lilly Pillys like good drainage and regular watering, especially during hot weather. Ensure soil drains well and water consistently during establishment.
Lilly Pillys like good drainage and regular watering, especially during hot weather. Ensure soil drains well and water consistently during establishment.
Pruning
Start pruning when plants are young – at least twice per year to keep them bushy from base to top. Regular pruning of tops and sides creates dense, bushy growth. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or early spring. Always water either side of pruning to help reduce plant stress.
❋ Find Your Perfect Lilly Pilly – With so many varieties to choose from, there's a Lilly Pilly perfect for every Australian garden. Whether you need a tall screening tree, a compact hedge, or a colourful feature hedge, these native beauties deliver. Happy planting!
Start pruning when plants are young – at least twice per year to keep them bushy from base to top. Regular pruning of tops and sides creates dense, bushy growth. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or early spring. Always water either side of pruning to help reduce plant stress.
❋ Find Your Perfect Lilly Pilly – With so many varieties to choose from, there's a Lilly Pilly perfect for every Australian garden. Whether you need a tall screening tree, a compact hedge, or a colourful feature hedge, these native beauties deliver. Happy planting!
Ready to Choose Your Lilly Pilly?
Browse our complete range of Lilly Pilly varieties or contact us for expert advice on selecting the perfect Lilly Pilly for your garden
Contact Us View All Lilly Pillys
Browse our complete range of Lilly Pilly varieties or contact us for expert advice on selecting the perfect Lilly Pilly for your garden
Contact Us View All Lilly Pillys