10 named 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
‘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

tree

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

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, the brush cherry, is an evergreen Australian tree reaching three to ten metres in cultivation, characterised by dense, glossy foliage and distinctive four-angled twigs that form small pockets above each node. The small, creamy-white flowers feature numerous spreading stamens and are followed by fleshy, edible red fruits.

New foliage emerges in vibrant shades of pink, red, or coppery-bronze before maturing to a deep, glossy green. While the wild species grows into a large rainforest tree, numerous compact cultivars are selected for dense hedging and topiary work.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides dense, glossy year-round screening with colourful pink and coppery-bronze new growth flushes.

Functions as an excellent windbreak or formal hedge that responds exceptionally well to shearing.

Flowers attract native bees and honeyeaters, while the fleshy red fruits feed native pigeons and currawongs.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

393 inches

Width

196 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun to part shade with well-drained, organically enriched loam.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and backfill with native-safe organic compost.
Water thoroughly after planting and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture.
Irrigate regularly during the first summer to establish a deep root system.

Pro Tip

Prune only the outer leafy envelope; cutting back past the foliage into thick, bare wood results in slow or failed recovery due to a lack of epicormic buds.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Apply a general-purpose, native-safe organic fertiliser in early spring.
Prune regularly to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Water during prolonged dry spells to prevent foliage stress.

Don't

Do not hack back into old, leafless wood without active buds.
Do not plant in poorly drained, waterlogged soils.
Do not use high-phosphorus fertilisers.

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

HedgePrivacy ScreenTopiarySpecimen TreeWindbreak

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Lomandra longifolia Correa alba

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

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

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

Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Lilly Pilly, 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 Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Lilly Pilly, Creek Lilly Pilly bloom?

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

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

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

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