Luehmann's Lilly Pilly

Luehmann's Lilly Pilly (Syzygium luehmannii), the riberry, is the aristocrat of the lilly pilly family: weeping fine leafed foliage that flushes vivid pink red, fluffy cream flowers, and clusters of edible magenta riberries prized in native food kitchens. A rainforest giant by birth, it settles politely to 6m to 8m in gardens, making an elegant screen, clipped hedge or small feature tree. It is pet friendly, bird attracting and beautiful at every stage.

Why you'll love it

• The prettiest new growth in the family. Each flush breaks bright pink to red over the fine weeping foliage, a display many gardeners rate above flowers.
• Riberries. The tart, clove scented fruit is a genuine bush food, superb in jams, syrups and desserts, and the birds adore what you do not pick.
• Naturally dense, naturally elegant. Screens and hedges clip beautifully, while a free grown tree develops a soft, weeping crown.
• Safe and generous. Pet friendly, bee and butterfly friendly, bird attracting: a habitat plant that looks designed.
• Coastal and wind tough. Salt laden blows that scorch exotics just polish its fine foliage.

Where it works best

Screening and tall hedging. Plant 1.5m apart for a dense 4m to 6m screen, or clip lower for a formal hedge with those pink flushes on every face.

Feature and shade planting. A single specimen makes a refined small shade tree for a lawn or courtyard.

Bush food gardens. The riberry is one of the easiest native fruits to grow well at home.

Growing Luehmann's Lilly Pilly in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with sun giving the densest habit and best colour. It thrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens; it takes light frost only once established, so cold inland districts should look to hardier hedging.

Soil. Rich, moist and well drained is ideal, though it adapts to most garden soils. Compost at planting and a 75mm mulch keep the rainforest roots happy.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then weekly drinks in dry spells. Feed in spring and late summer with a controlled release fertiliser to drive those coloured flushes.

Pruning. Trim after flushes to hold hedge form; each cut triggers the next wave of pink growth. Psyllid is rarely a problem on this species.

What to expect when it arrives

Stock runs from 200mm packs of 6 and single 300mm plants for hedge rows, up to advanced 25L, 45L and 100L trees that deliver instant screen height. All sizes are currently available. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a settling fortnight, then regular coloured flushes through the warm months. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Lilly pilly care guide
• Browse the full lilly pilly range
• More edible plants and bush tucker

Common questions

Will it really stay under 8m?

In gardens, yes. The 30m rainforest figures belong to century old trees in deep volcanic soil; suburban plants settle around 6m to 8m and clip to whatever you prefer.

What do riberries taste like?

Tart cranberry with a distinct clove spice. They are picked in summer and shine in jams, sauces, syrups and baking; commercial native food growers use this exact species.

How does it compare to Resilience for a screen?

Luehmann's is finer, softer and showier in flush, best at 1.5m spacings for taller screens. Resilience is faster to a dense 2m to 3m wall. Choose refinement or speed.

Is it safe for pets?

Yes. It carries the Pet Friendly flag, and the fruit is edible for the household as well, which makes it one of the best all round family natives we sell.