Species

Syzygium australeBrush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Lilly Pilly, Creek Lilly Pilly

9 other cultivars

‘Baby Boomer’Baby Boomer Lilly Pilly, Dwarf Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly
‘Straight and Narrow’Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly, Columnar Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry
‘Bush Christmas’Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly, Bush Christmas
‘Select’Select Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Southern Lilly Pilly
‘Aussie Southern’Aussie Southern Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly, Creek Satinash
‘Big Red’Big Red Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly, Lilly Pilly
‘Hinterland Gold’Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry
‘Pinnacle’Pinnacle Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Satinash
‘Tiny Trev’Tiny Trev Lilly Pilly, Creek Cherry, Brush Cherry

shrub

Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Resilience'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, commonly known as the brush cherry or lilly pilly, is an evergreen Myrtaceae species native to the subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia. In its wild habitat, it develops into a substantial canopy tree, producing glossy foliage, fluffy white flowers, and edible pink berries.

'Resilience' is a compact, upright cultivar specifically selected for its natural resistance to the disfiguring lilly pilly psyllid. Its dense growth habit responds exceptionally well to tight hedging, with new foliage emerging in a deep reddish-bronze shade before maturing to dark green.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense, glossy green foliage with reddish-bronze new growth and fluffy white flowers.

Provides an excellent, highly resilient formal hedge or privacy screen.

Attracts nectar-eating and fruit-eating native birds, native bees, and beneficial insects.

SpeciesSyzygium australeBrush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Lilly Pilly, Creek Lilly Pilly

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

197 inches

Width

118 inches

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 4 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 the width of the root ball and backfill with organic matter if planting in heavy clay.
Position the plant at the same depth as it was in the nursery pot and water in thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem.

Pro Tip

Never prune hard into old, leafless internal wood; this species lacks dormant buds on ancient timber and relies on active green stems to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune twice yearly in late spring and late summer to maintain a formal hedge shape.
Water regularly during dry spells until the root system is fully established.
Apply a balanced low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring.

Don't

Do not prune hard into bare, brown internal wood as it will fail to reshoot.
Avoid overhead watering in humid conditions to minimise the risk of myrtle rust.
Do not allow young plants to experience heavy frost without protection.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Formal hedgingTopiaryPrivacy screensWindbreaks

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Lomandra longifolia Dianella caerulea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly questions

What zones can Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly grow in?

Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek 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.

When does Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly bloom?

Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek 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, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly need full sun?

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

Is Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly drought tolerant?

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