Species

Syzygium australeBrush Cherry

12 other cultivars

shrub

Brush Cherry

Syzygium australe 'Aussie Southern'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, the brush cherry, is an evergreen Australian tree reaching up to fifteen feet in cultivation, featuring dense, glossy green leaves and fluffy white flower clusters. The subsequent fleshy, magenta-red berries are edible and attract native birds, making the species a staple for warm-climate hedging.

'Aussie Southern' is a compact, narrowly columnar cultivar that grows densely from the ground up, making it highly suited for tight screens. It is distinguished by its striking bronze and reddish-orange new growth that contrasts sharply against the mature deep green foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, glossy green screen with colorful bronze-red new growth and fluffy white flowers.

Functions as an excellent windbreak, noise barrier, or formal privacy screen due to its narrow, upright habit.

Flowers attract generalist insect pollinators, and the edible red berries provide food for local birds.

SpeciesSyzygium australeBrush Cherry

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

180"

Width

72"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late 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 well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth.
Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter and mound the planting area to ensure drainage.
Space plants 30 inches apart for a dense, continuous hedge.
Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.

Pro Tip

Plant in raised mounds if working with heavy clay to prevent root rot, and avoid pruning back into old, leafless brown wood which fails to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune regularly to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Water deeply during dry spells, especially when the plant is young.

Don't

Do not prune aggressively into old, leafless brown wood.
Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged or poorly drained.
Do not crowd plants closer than 30 inches without regular tip-pruning.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hedges and screensTopiary and formal gardensCoastal gardensWindbreaks

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Lomandra longifolia Dietes grandiflora

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Brush Cherry questions

What zones can Brush Cherry grow in?

Brush 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.

Is Brush Cherry deer resistant?

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

When does Brush Cherry bloom?

Brush Cherry 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 Brush Cherry need full sun?

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

Is Brush Cherry drought tolerant?

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