Species

Syzygium australeBrush Cherry

12 other cultivars

shrub

Lilly Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Straight and Narrow'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, native to eastern Australian rainforests, is a dense evergreen small tree featuring glossy, dark green elliptic leaves with a distinct gland just above the leaf attachment. The species produces fluffy, creamy-white powder-puff flower clusters in spring and summer, followed by fleshy, edible pink-to-red berries.

'Straight and Narrow' is a highly fastigiate, slender cultivar that grows as a tightly columnar vertical screen, serving as a native alternative to Italian cypress. This selection features natural genetic resistance to the disfiguring lilly pilly psyllid and produces new foliage in rich, glowing reddish-bronze tones.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a narrow, dense, columnar evergreen screen with glossy foliage and reddish-bronze new growth.

Serves as an excellent space-saving vertical barrier or formal hedge in tight urban landscapes.

Flowers attract generalist insect pollinators, though it does not support specialized North American nectar-feeders.

SpeciesSyzygium australeBrush Cherry

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

315"

Width

59"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with acidic to neutral, well-drained loam, sand, or organic clay soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and set the plant at the same depth as its nursery container.
Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, drought-tolerant root system.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year in spring to support new foliage flushes.

Pro Tip

Tip-prune soft new growth regularly while the plant is young to establish a dense, impenetrable columnar framework; cutting back heavily into old, leafless brown wood will fail to shoot back.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Tip-prune young plants frequently to encourage a dense, multi-branched habit.
Ensure the soil drains freely to prevent root rot pathogens.
Shelter young plants from hard freezes, as new growth is frost-tender.

Don't

Do not prune past the leafy green canopy into bare, old wood.
Do not allow containerized plants to dry out completely during hot summer spells.
Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soils without improving drainage.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Privacy ScreenHedgeSpecimen/Focal PointContainer Friendly

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Dietes grandiflora Agapanthus praecox

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lilly Pilly questions

What zones can Lilly Pilly grow in?

Lilly Pilly is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lilly Pilly deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Lilly Pilly, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Lilly Pilly bloom?

Lilly Pilly typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Lilly Pilly need full sun?

Lilly Pilly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Lilly Pilly drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Lilly Pilly handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.