Syzygiums

Matching a syzygium to the job

Height first. For borders, pots and low hedges under a metre, 'Tiny Trev' stays around 1m untrimmed and 'Baby Boomer' finishes near 1.5m. For the classic 2m to 3m privacy hedge, Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' is the one most gardeners should start with: about 5m if left alone, easily held at hedge height, with clean psyllid resistant foliage. Side passages and narrow boundaries belong to Straight and Narrow, which climbs to 5m while holding roughly 1m wide without constant clipping. At the top of the scale, Syzygium luehmannii makes a 7m screen or small shade tree with weeping coppery new growth.

Habit is the second decision. 'Cascade' brings soft weeping growth and fluffy pink flowers at about 4m, while most others carry glossy upright foliage flushed red or bronze when young.

Where lilly pillies thrive

These are east coast rainforest natives, so they are at their best from tropical and subtropical gardens down through warm temperate zones, and nearly all of them handle coastal wind and salt. Humidity is no obstacle; it is actually where psyllid pressure rises, which is why resistant selections such as 'Resilience', 'Northern Select' and 'Backyard Bliss' are worth choosing in warm humid areas. Most tolerate a light frost only, so in colder inland districts protect young plants for their first two winters. For alternatives beyond the genus, our hedging and screening range covers frost hardy options too.

Planting and spacing

Spacing sets how fast the wall closes. Plant 'Resilience' and other broad screeners at 1m centres, 'Backyard Bliss' at 800mm, Straight and Narrow at 60cm to 80cm, 'Baby Boomer' at 60cm and 'Tiny Trev' at 50cm for a low border. Set the row 60cm to 80cm off a fence so you can prune the back face. Dig each hole twice the pot width and no deeper, water in hard, mulch 75mm deep and water deeply twice a week through the first summer.

Feeding, clipping and berries

Feed with a controlled release native friendly fertiliser in spring and late summer, and tip prune from the start: a hedge clipped lightly from year one builds a dense base that never goes leggy. Expect fluffy white flowers followed by magenta berries that bring birds; on most selections here the berries are edible and make a sharp jam. Our guide to lilly pillies for screening and privacy covers hedge training in more detail, and the broader lilly pilly collection includes related genera beyond Syzygium.

Common questions

How fast do lilly pillies grow?

The fast growing screeners planted from 200mm pots give meaningful privacy in around two years and a solid wall by year three. Dwarf selections are slower, which is exactly what you want in a border.

What causes the bumpy leaves on my lilly pilly?

Psyllid, a sap sucking insect that pits soft new growth on older Syzygium australe types. Clip off affected flushes and feed the plant, or sidestep the problem by planting a resistant selection such as 'Resilience' or 'Northern Select'.

Are lilly pilly berries edible?

Most selections here carry our Edible flag, and the riberry (Syzygium luehmannii) is a recognised bushfood. Flavour is tart rather than sweet, best in jams and cordials.

Are lilly pillies safe for dogs and cats?

Popular selections including 'Resilience', 'Baby Boomer' and 'Tiny Trev' carry our Pet Friendly flag, which makes them a sensible hedge choice for a garden with animals. Check the flag on each product page rather than assuming it covers the whole genus.