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
‘Resilience’Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly
‘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
‘Pinnacle’Pinnacle Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Satinash
‘Tiny Trev’Tiny Trev Lilly Pilly, Creek Cherry, Brush Cherry

shrub

Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry

Syzygium australe 'Hinterland Gold'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, native to eastern Australian rainforests and stream banks, is a dense evergreen species that forms a substantial canopy of glossy foliage. The species produces fluffy white-to-cream flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy, edible red-to-purple berries that attract native birds.

'Hinterland Gold' is a compact horticultural selection distinguished by its fast, upright growth and vibrant bronze-to-gold new foliage flushes. It maintains a naturally tight, branching habit that makes it highly suited for residential privacy screens and formal hedges.

Uses & Benefits:

Vibrant bronze-to-gold new growth flushes contrasting against glossy green mature foliage, ideal for formal hedging.

Forms a dense, fast-growing privacy screen or windbreak that is highly tolerant of coastal salt spray and humidity.

Provides nectar for native bees, butterflies, and insect pollinators, while the fleshy berries feed native birds.

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

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

236 inches

Width

118 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a well-drained position in full sun to partial shade, digging a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Backfill with native soil, firming gently around the base, and water in thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Apply a organic mulch layer around the root zone to conserve moisture, keeping it clear of the main stem.
Water regularly during the first growing season until the root system is fully established.

Pro Tip

Prune young plants regularly to stimulate dense branching, but never shear back into bare, leafless interior wood as these plants lack the dormant epicormic buds required to regenerate from old timber.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune one to two times a year after major growth flushes to maintain a dense, compact hedge.
Apply a balanced, low-phosphorus or native-specific slow-release fertiliser in spring.
Monitor new growth regularly for signs of psyllid galls or fungal rust pustules.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, leafless woody stems where adventitious buds are absent.
Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged, as poor drainage causes root rot.
Do not use high-phosphorus fertilisers which can disrupt nutrient uptake.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Formal hedgesPrivacy screensWindbreaksSpecimen planting

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry questions

What zones can Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry grow in?

Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry 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 Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry bloom?

Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry 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 Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry need full sun?

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

Is Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry drought tolerant?

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