{"product_id":"forest-flame-lilly-pilly-acmena-smithii-forest-flame","title":"Forest Flame Lilly Pilly - Acmena smithii 'Forest Flame'","description":"\u003cp\u003eForest Flame Lilly Pilly (\u003cem\u003eAcmena smithii\u003c\/em\u003e 'Forest Flame') is the fine-leaved lilly pilly for gardeners who want a hedge that looks tailored rather than bulky. It grows to about 2m high and 1m wide, or can be clipped under 1m, and its new growth emerges deep red, sometimes almost maroon, before maturing to green. The small slender leaves make it a native answer to nandina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine, slender leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small leaf gives a neat, delicate texture that suits formal gardens and clips into crisp edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep red new growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh shoots open red to maroon and age to green. Clipping the plant regularly encourages more of that colourful new leaf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA height to suit you.\u003c\/strong\u003e Let it reach 2m for a slim screen, or keep it clipped under 1m for a low hedge or border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e A slender habit that fits narrow beds, courtyards and large pots without taking over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers and fruit for wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e Small fluffy flowers in summer are followed by white-purple fruit, and the plant gives shelter and food to insects and birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow hedges and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart in a single row and clip to 1m or less for a dense formal edge. The fine leaves hold a sharp line better than the larger leaved lilly pillies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreens to 2m.\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unclipped, the same 60cm spacing gives a slim green screen about 2m high, enough to hide fences, bins and low windows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e It takes clipping into balls, cubes and standards well, and large pots on terraces and entries suit it. Keep container plants watered through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Forest Flame Lilly Pilly in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e A sunny spot gives the best colour and the densest growth. It tolerates light frost only, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and cooler gardens where frosts are light. Shelter it from strong wind and salt spray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained soil is the key. On heavy clay, build a low mound and work in compost so the roots never sit in water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, then water through long dry spells. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in autumn and spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune as required. Frequent light clipping keeps the plant compact and triggers the red new growth, while an unclipped plant shows more green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Forest Flame Lilly Pilly as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single 300mm pots. Tubes are the economical choice for a long hedge. The 140mm and 200mm packs give a sturdier start, and the 300mm pots suit a hedge line you want in the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lilly-pilly-care-guide-keep-your-plants-thriving\"\u003eLilly pilly care guide: choosing, planting and pruning\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/low-hedge-plants-under-1-metre-australia\"\u003eLow hedge plants under 1 metre for front gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lilly-pillys\"\u003eSee every lilly pilly we grow\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/topiary-and-shaping-plants\"\u003ePlants for topiary and shaping\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow low can I clip it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder 1m is fine. Many gardeners keep it as a low formal hedge, and clipping low encourages more of the colourful new growth. Start clipping while the plant is young so the base fills out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty centimetres apart for a hedge. That suits the 1m mature width and closes the line in a couple of seasons without crowding the bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is my new growth not red?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed appears on fresh shoots, so an unclipped plant or one in shade shows mostly green. Trim lightly to prompt new growth, plant in a sunny spot and feed in autumn and spring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787161829695,"sku":"ACM-SMI-FOREST-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787161862463,"sku":"ACM-SMI-FOREST-140MM-P10","price":203.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787161895231,"sku":"ACM-SMI-FOREST-200MM-P6","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":67787161927999,"sku":"ACM-SMI-FOREST-300MM","price":165.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/forest-flame-lilly-pilly-acmena-smithii-forest-flame.jpg?v=1792149164","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/forest-flame-lilly-pilly-acmena-smithii-forest-flame","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}