Species

Syzygium australeBrush Cherry

12 other cultivars

shrub

Select Lilly Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Select'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, the brush cherry, is an evergreen Australian tree or large shrub that grows as a dense, upright column of glossy foliage. In late spring and summer, it produces fluffy clusters of white flowers with prominent, brush-like stamens, followed by fleshy, reddish-pink berries.

'Select' is a compact, neat cultivar distinguished by its dense growth habit that extends completely to the ground, making it highly suitable for formal hedging. The glossy, deep green leaves emerge with a distinct bronze to coppery-red flush on new growth.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, neat, evergreen screen with attractive bronze-red new growth and fluffy white summer flowers.

Highly responsive to shearing, making it an excellent choice for formal hedges, windbreaks, and topiary.

Flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects, while the dense canopy provides nesting shelter for small birds.

SpeciesSyzygium australeBrush Cherry

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

236"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

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 fertile, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill with native soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
Apply a three-inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Prune immediately after the summer fruiting to stimulate a dense flush of colorful new growth, but avoid cutting back into old, leafless wood where dormant buds fail to reshoot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system.
Prune regularly to maintain a dense, formal hedge outline.
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support new foliage flushes.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils that remain waterlogged.
Do not prune hard into old, bare wood as it does not regenerate easily.
Do not allow young plants to dry out completely during hot, dry summer spells.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Formal HedgingPrivacy ScreenTopiaryWindbreakContainer Specimen

Companion Plants

Myrica cerifera Viburnum suspensum Dietes bicolor Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Select Lilly Pilly questions

What zones can Select Lilly Pilly grow in?

Select 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 Select Lilly Pilly deer resistant?

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

When does Select Lilly Pilly bloom?

Select 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 Select Lilly Pilly need full sun?

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

Is Select Lilly Pilly drought tolerant?

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