Weeping Lilly Pilly Tree

The weeping lilly pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) is the tree for a boundary that needs real height, where you would rather have shade than a clipped wall. In a garden it settles around 10m tall and 5m wide, with long willowy foliage on arching branches and new growth that flushes pink and copper. Left alone it is a shade tree. Planted 1.5m apart and trimmed, it makes one of the best tall screens available.

Why you'll love it

• A weeping habit that softens everything. The foliage hangs rather than sitting stiffly, so a row reads as a green curtain instead of a hedge.
• Height most screens cannot reach. Around 10m in a garden, enough to block a two storey outlook that shorter hedging cannot.
• It handles wet ground. A creek bank tree by origin, so it tolerates damp soil that would kill most screening plants.
• Australian native and bird friendly. Fluffy cream and white flowers in summer, then berries the birds work through.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs.

Where it works best

Tall screening and hedging. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. It takes trimming well and can be held from 3m upward, though the lower you keep it the more often you are back on the ladder.

Shade trees. One tree given room develops a broad weeping canopy. Allow at least 5m of width.

Damp, windy and coastal blocks. The corner that stays soggy after rain is exactly where this tree does its best work, and it is salt tolerant and wind tolerant enough for an exposed site.

Growing the weeping lilly pilly in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade, and genuinely good in part shade, which is unusual for a screening plant. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland districts and hard frosting southern gardens are not for it.

Soil and roots. Not fussy about soil type and tolerant of wet feet, but the root system is vigorous. Keep it at least 4m from sewer lines, stormwater pipes, paving and footings. That is the one real drawback.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then reduce. A controlled release native fertiliser in early spring and late summer keeps the colour strong.

Pruning. Trim after each growth flush if you are keeping it as a screen, two or three times a year in a warm garden. It reshoots readily from old wood, so a neglected hedge can be cut back hard.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in twelve sizes, from 140mm packs of ten up to 1000L specimen trees. The multi packs are the value choice for a long boundary and close a screen in three to four seasons. The 300mm to 500mm pots are the common middle ground. From 45L to 1000L the trees arrive already branched with real height on day one.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a settling period of a few weeks, then strong new growth. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to plant and maintain a lilly pilly hedge
• Browse the full lilly pilly range
• Compare hedging and screening plants
• Shade and feature trees for Australian gardens

Common questions

How big does it really get?

In a home garden expect about 10m tall and 5m wide over many years. Along rainforest creeks in its native range it goes well past 20m, but garden conditions keep it far smaller.

Is it psyllid resistant?

Yes. Unlike older Syzygium hedging, this species is not troubled by the psyllid that pimples and puckers lilly pilly leaves, so foliage stays clean without spraying.

How close can I plant it to the house?

Give it at least 4m, more if you can. The roots are vigorous and the canopy is wide, so it is a poor choice for a narrow strip beside a slab.