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
‘Hinterland Gold’Hinterland Gold Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry
‘Tiny Trev’Tiny Trev Lilly Pilly, Creek Cherry, Brush Cherry

tree

Pinnacle Lilly Pilly, Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Satinash

Syzygium australe 'Pinnacle'

The Story

Plant Bio

Syzygium australe, commonly known as the brush cherry, is an evergreen rainforest tree native to the coastal regions of eastern Australia. The species features glossy, opposite leaves and produces fluffy white to cream flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy red-pink berries.

'Pinnacle' is distinguished by its extremely narrow, tightly columnar growth habit that mimics a conifer. The cultivar produces bronze to reddish-brown new foliage flushes that mature to a deep glossy green.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a highly structured, narrow columnar form with glossy green leaves and reddish-bronze new growth flushes.

Serves as an excellent narrow hedge or privacy screen for tight spaces and boundary lines.

Provides safe nesting sites and protective cover for small native birds, while flowers attract native bees.

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

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

393 inches

Width

59 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Medium to 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 moist, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth, incorporating organic matter into heavy soils to improve drainage.
Position the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Monitor the soft foliage flushes closely for psyllid damage, as this cultivar lacks the high resistance of some newer selections despite its excellent structural form.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune regularly to maintain a dense, formal hedge structure.
Water deeply during dry spells until the root system is fully established.
Apply a balanced native-safe fertiliser in spring to support new growth flushes.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils without amending them first.
Do not prune hard into old, bare wood that lacks visible dormant buds.
Do not overwater newly planted tubestock, as this can lead to root rot.

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

Narrow ScreenFormal HedgeTopiaryCourtyard SpecimenWindbreak

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Lomandra longifolia Anigozanthos flavidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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