Lilly Pilly is the Australian native that does more jobs than any other genus. Hedge, screen, feature tree, topiary, pool surround, narrow side passage. The trick is choosing the cultivar that matches your specific garden need.
This guide groups our recommended Lilly Pilly varieties by use case, with practical notes on each.
Best Lilly Pilly varieties by garden need
The right Lilly Pilly depends on what you want the plant to do. The cultivars below cover the most common briefs we hear at the nursery.
For a pool surround
Backyard Bliss is the pool friendly choice. Compact 3 to 4m tall, 1.5 to 2m wide, with non aggressive roots and strong psyllid resistance. Glossy foliage stays clean and small enough that fallen leaves are not a problem.
For a narrow side passage
Straight and Narrow handles spaces other Lilly Pilly cultivars cannot. Mature width 0.5 to 1m. Glossy mid green foliage. Psyllid resistant. The fix for fence line gardens with limited width.
For a tall soft screen
Waterhousea floribunda reaches 4 to 8m tall with a weeping habit. A relaxed informal screen rather than a tight clipped hedge. Bronze new growth gives seasonal interest.
For coloured foliage
Winter Lights has red leaf margins all year and crimson winter colour. Hinterland Gold flushes bright golden-yellow new growth. Both double as feature hedges with seasonal colour.
For the cleanest formal hedge
Resilience is the psyllid-resistant pick that stays glossy and unmarked when older cultivars get distorted leaves. Strong upright form, dense from the base, copper-bronze new growth.
Planting
Full sun to part shade. Most Lilly Pilly cultivars suit clay loam to sandy soils with good drainage. Plant at 60cm to 1m apart depending on cultivar and the look you want. Tighter for formal hedges, wider for natural screens.
Water deeply through the first two summers. Mulch from the base out, keeping mulch off the trunk.
Care
Light trim two to three times a year for a formal finish. Lilly Pilly responds well to pruning straight after a flush. Feed in spring with a native blend. Mulch annually.
In warmer humid climates, watch for psyllid distortion. Choose Resilience, Backyard Bliss, Straight and Narrow or Winter Lights if you are in a high pressure area.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lilly Pilly is best near a pool?
Backyard Bliss. Compact, non aggressive roots, glossy clean foliage.
Which Lilly Pilly is best for shade?
Most tolerate part shade. Waterhousea floribunda performs in lower light.
Will Lilly Pilly grow in Melbourne?
Yes. Backyard Bliss and Resilience handle Melbourne winters well once established.
How tall can a Lilly Pilly hedge grow?
Depends on the cultivar. Backyard Bliss tops out around 4m. Waterhousea reaches 8m. All can be pruned to desired height.
Final thoughts
The Lilly Pilly family covers almost every hedging brief in Australia. Choose by purpose, not by name. Pool surrounds, narrow passages, tall screens and coloured foliage all have a clear best cultivar. Plant the right one, water deeply through the first summer, and the hedge looks expensive with minimal effort.
Would à Lilly Pilly be suitable for Cape Schanck area? It would get a fair bit of wind.
Hi I am considering planting Lilly pilly on a second floor balcony of a two story house
I would like them to ideally grow no more than 2meters max
I have 6 800×370×370 planter boxes that cover an area of 4.8 meters
Which one do you recommend, how many do I need and how much are they
Ideally I’d like them already grown to 1.5meters if possible
Thank you for you assistance