Allyn Magic Lilly Pilly

Allyn Magic Lilly Pilly (Acmena smithii 'Allyn Magic') is a naturally dwarf native shrub that stays around 50cm tall and wide. Each clip brings a flush of pink and bronze new growth, and the dense foliage shapes neatly into a low hedge, a border or topiary. It is a native alternative to dwarf nandina, for small gardens and sunny pots.

Why you'll love it

• Naturally dwarf. It holds about 50cm by 50cm without heavy pruning, so you are shaping it rather than fighting it.
• Colour after every clip. Pink and bronze new growth appears throughout the year following pruning.
• Dense, clippable foliage. The tight leaves take clipping well, so it suits low lines, balls and other simple topiary shapes.
• A native for small spaces. It suits small gardens, low hedges and mass plantings where taller lilly pillies would be too big.
• Easy care. It grows in sun to part shade, tolerates light frost and needs only a simple feeding routine.

Where it works best

Low hedges and borders. Plant 40cm apart along a path, bed or lawn edge. The plants meet in a continuous low hedge about 50cm high.

Pots on sunny patios. It suits containers in a sunny spot, where regular clipping keeps the new growth colourful.

Topiary and mass planting. The dense habit clips into balls and cubes, and planted 40cm apart in drifts it makes a low carpet of pink-bronze new growth.

Growing Allyn Magic Lilly Pilly in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits most areas of Australia and tolerates light frost, so in colder gardens give it a sheltered spot. The best new growth colour comes in sun.

Soil. A free draining soil improved with compost suits it. In pots, use a quality potting mix.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well, especially while it is establishing. Fertilise once a year with a native slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune as required to promote new growth. Clipping triggers the pink and bronze flush, whereas an unclipped plant carries small white flowers in summer. You can choose colour or flowers, though regular hedge clipping favours colour.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Allyn Magic Lilly Pilly as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is the economical way to plant a low hedge, which needs a plant every 40cm. Expect a small plant on arrival, and clip it lightly as it grows to build a dense base.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full lilly pilly range
• Plants for small gardens
• Lilly pilly care guide: choosing, planting and pruning
• Low hedge plants under 1 metre

Common questions

How many do I need for a hedge?

Plant 40cm apart, which works out at two and a half plants per metre. A 4m run needs about ten plants.

Will it flower?

Small white flowers appear in summer if the plant is left unclipped. Regular clipping swaps those flowers for repeated flushes of pink and bronze new growth.

How tall will it get?

In most gardens it holds around 50cm. Left unclipped for several seasons it can stretch taller, so a light trim once or twice a year keeps it tight.