1 named cultivar

‘Backyard Bliss’Lilly Pilly 'Backyard Bliss', Magenta Lilly Pilly, Australian Brush Cherry

tree

Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba

Syzygium paniculatum

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium paniculatum, the magenta lilly pilly, is an evergreen Australian tree or dense shrub native to the coastal rainforests of New South Wales. It features glossy, lance-shaped leaves with a pale underside and produces fluffy white flowers composed of numerous prominent stamens during the warmer months.

The species is distinguished by its vibrant reddish-pink new foliage flushes and the subsequent production of fleshy, edible magenta fruits. In cultivation, it serves as a highly adaptable hedging plant, though it remains vulnerable to psyllid insect damage.

Uses & Benefits:

Valued for its dense, glossy evergreen foliage, bright reddish-pink new growth, fluffy white summer flowers, and decorative magenta berries.

Functions as an excellent windbreak, privacy screen, or formal hedge due to its tolerance of regular shearing and coastal exposure.

Provides nectar for native bees, butterflies, and honeyeaters, while the fleshy fruits feed frugivorous birds like parrots and figbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

590 inches

Width

393 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

New South Wales, Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and to the same depth, ensuring the soil is loose.
Gently remove the plant from its container, place it in the hole, and backfill with native soil.
Water thoroughly to settle the soil and apply a layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pro Tip

Prune only into active green growth; cutting back severely into old, bare, leafless wood results in slow or failed epicormic shooting, permanently ruining the plant's structure.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune regularly after flowering to encourage dense growth and a flush of pink new leaves.
Apply a balanced, slow-release native-friendly fertiliser during spring and autumn.
Water regularly during the establishment phase to build deep root systems.

Don't

Do not prune back into old, bare brown wood as regrowth from dormant buds is highly unreliable.
Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged or subject to prolonged standing water.
Do not plant near paved pathways where falling fleshy fruits can create a slippery tripping hazard.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Formal or informal hedgingPrivacy screensWindbreaks in coastal gardensSpecimen shade tree

Companion Plants

Acmena smithii Dianella caerulea Lomandra longifolia Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba questions

What zones can Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba grow in?

Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba 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 Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba bloom?

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

Does Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba need full sun?

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

Is Magenta Lilly Pilly, Magenta Cherry, Brush Cherry, Daguba drought tolerant?

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