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Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

Dense evergreen foliage and upright growth provide reliable privacy screening and formal hedging structure.

Regular price $160.00
Sale price $160.00 Regular price
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Pot size
Available batches
Size: 30cm/33cm
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
30cm/33cm

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Quantity

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Size / batchEachQuantity
30cm/33cmApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$160.00

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.

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    About Acmena smithii ‘Select’

    Acmena smithii 'Select' is a cutting grown form of the Australian native lilly pilly, chosen for uniformity. Every plant shares the same upright habit, glossy mid green leaves and bronze new growth, which matters when a hedge has to look even along its whole length. Small white flowers open in spring and summer.

    It adds roughly 40 to 80 centimetres a year once settled. Full sun produces the densest growth, though part shade is fine. It wants well drained soil with some organic matter in it, copes with coastal exposure and humidity, tolerates light to moderate frost, and becomes reasonably drought hardy after two seasons in the ground.

    Mature size is 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, held lower with two clips a year. Landscapers use it for privacy hedges, green walls around courtyards and mass screening on housing developments. Consistency from plant to plant is the reason it gets specified ahead of seedling raised alternatives.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Select Lilly Pilly

    What is Select Lilly Pilly?

    Select is a cutting grown form of Acmena smithii, the Australian native lilly pilly. It was chosen for even growth, so every plant in a hedge behaves the same way, which seedling raised plants cannot promise. Leaves are glossy mid green with bronze new growth, and small white flowers appear in spring and summer.

    How big does Select Lilly Pilly grow?

    It reaches 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide if left alone. Clipped twice a year it sits comfortably at 2 to 3 metres, the usual height for a boundary hedge. Growth is upright, so the width stays manageable in narrow beds running along a fence line.

    Is it evergreen or deciduous?

    Evergreen. It carries foliage right through the year, winter included, which is why it is used for privacy rather than a deciduous alternative. Old leaves are shed gradually instead of all at once, so there is no bare period and no seasonal leaf drop to clean up in any quantity.

    Where does it grow best in Australia?

    It performs best in temperate, subtropical and coastal areas, so Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, coastal New South Wales, Perth and much of Victoria all suit it. It also grows well inland where frosts stay light and water is available. Arid districts and cold tablelands with heavy repeated frost are not for it.

    Is it frost tolerant?

    Established plants take light to moderate frost without lasting damage, though new growth can burn at the tips and then recover in spring. Young plants need shelter for their first two winters. In frost prone gardens plant in spring, avoid low lying frost hollows, and stop feeding in autumn so growth hardens before winter.

    Can it be grown in pots?

    Yes, provided the pot is large. Use a container at least 50 centimetres wide and deep with free draining potting mix. Pots restrict size, so expect 1.5 to 2 metres rather than full height. Water often, feed each spring with a controlled release native fertiliser, and refresh the mix every second year.

    How do I care for Select Lilly Pilly?

    Establishment watering matters most, so give it deep soakings twice weekly through the first summer. Mulch well, keeping it off the trunk. Feed in early spring, then trim after the main flush to encourage branching. Two light trims a year beat one hard cut. Treat any scale in shaded positions with horticultural oil.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    • Part Shade
    Form
    • Upright
    • Dense
    Use
    • Screening or Privacy
    Mature height
    4m to 8m
    Mature width
    2m to 4m

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

    Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

    Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

    Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

    Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

    Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

    Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

    Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

    Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

    Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

    Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

    Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly in Different Soil

    Acmena smithii performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

    Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

    Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

    Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

    pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

    • Screening or Privacy

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly works in an:

    • Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
    • Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
    • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.

    Is Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

    Mature Height: 4m to 8m

    Mature Width: 2m to 4m

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

    Growth Rate of Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

    They are considered to have a:

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

    Is Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly frost tolerant?

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

    Does Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly Flower?

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ produces clusters of soft creamy-white flowers during spring and summer, occasionally followed by decorative berries on mature plants. While the blooms are subtle, the plant is primarily valued for its dense glossy evergreen foliage and refined screening habit.

    Does Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Spring
    • Summer

    Flower Type:

    • Clustered

    Flower Colour:

    White

    Is Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly an Australian Native Tree?

    Yes

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly is Native to

    What is the Wildlife Value of Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly ?

    Its flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators throughout the flowering season, supporting biodiversity within native and ornamental landscapes. The dense evergreen foliage also provides valuable shelter, nesting habitat and protection for small birds and beneficial insects year-round.

    How much Sunlight does Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly need?

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun
    • Part Shade

    Preferred Soil?

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ performs best in rich, well-drained loam soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It will also tolerate sandy soils and a range of general garden conditions provided drainage remains reliable. Avoid persistently wet or heavily compacted conditions unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can reduce root health and overall vigour. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.

    Is Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly Drought Tolerant?

    Is Acmena smithii ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly Drought tolerant?

    As a young plant it benefits from regular watering to establish healthy dense growth, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, ‘Select’ shows good drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods, although occasional supplementary watering supports stronger foliage growth and overall vigour.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Is Select Lilly Pilly suitable for screening?
    A: Yes, its dense upright growth habit makes it highly effective for privacy screening and boundary planting.

    Q: Does it tolerate pruning?
    A: Yes, it responds well to regular clipping and shaping.

    Q: Is it suitable for coastal conditions?
    A: Yes, it performs reliably in coastal and humid environments once established.

    Q: Does it produce flowers and berries?
    A: Yes, small white flowers are followed by decorative berries on mature plants.

    Compare sizes side by side

    30cm/33cm

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Acmena smithii ‘Select’ is loved for its Dense evergreen foliage and upright growth provide reliable privacy screening and formal hedging structure.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

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