Red Cliffs Lilly Pilly

Red Cliffs Lilly Pilly (Syzygium australe 'Red Cliffs') is a dense, fast-growing native hedge that reaches about 4m tall and 2m wide, tall enough to block a neighbour's view but happy to be cut back to less than half that. New growth emerges reddish-brown and the leaves turn golden yellow in summer. Small fluffy white flowers are followed by edible dark red berries.

Why you'll love it

• Colour through the year. Reddish new growth, golden yellow summer foliage, white flowers and dark red berries give it four seasons of interest.
• A tall screen that clips down. Left alone it reaches about 4m, but it can be cut back to less than half that if you need a lower hedge.
• Dense, compact growth. The small leaves pack tightly, so it clips into a formal hedge or a topiary shape.
• Food and shelter for wildlife. Nectar-rich flowers and berries bring native birds and insects, and the berries are edible for people too.
• Hardy once established. It tolerates light frost and dry conditions once established.

Where it works best

Screening and formal hedging. Plant 1m apart in a single row. Tip prune young plants often and the row closes into a solid wall within a few seasons.

Topiary and shaping. The dense leaves hold clean lines, so it suits balls, cones and clipped standards.

Large containers. Grow it in a big pot with good potting mix for a clipped feature at an entry or on a terrace.

Native gardens. Use it as a backbone planting that doubles as habitat for native fauna.

Growing Red Cliffs Lilly Pilly in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and tolerates light frost, though young plants in frosty districts benefit from some shelter.

Soil. Free-draining soil enriched with organic matter, with mulch over the roots. It copes with dry conditions once established.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, around 12 weeks. Apply a native slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune at least three times a year to encourage dense growth and flushes of new foliage, and tip prune young plants for maximum bushiness. Lilly pillies of this type can be marked by psyllids on new growth, and regular pruning removes the damaged shoots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Red Cliffs Lilly Pilly as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical way to plant a long hedge or screen. Tubes start small, so allow around three seasons for a continuous hedge. Plants travel upright and settle within a few weeks of planting.

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
• Hedging and screening plants
• More Australian native plants
• Lilly pilly care guide: choosing, planting and pruning

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 1m apart in a single row. That spacing closes the gaps within a few seasons without crowding the bases.

How often should I prune it?

At least three times a year. Frequent tip pruning when young builds a dense, bushy hedge and encourages the colourful new growth.

Can I keep it shorter than 4m?

Yes. It can be cut back to less than half its natural height, so it works as a lower hedge as well as a tall screen.