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Syzygium australe ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

About Your New Syzygium australe ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Select' is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree chosen for dense growth, glossy foliage and a naturally neat outline. New leaves flush coppery red before settling to deep green. White flowers appear in spring, followed by small pink berries that birds strip fairly quickly.

Mature plants sit at 4 to 6 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It adapts to most soils with adequate drainage, takes full sun through to part shade, and once established it handles light frost and short dry periods without complaint.

Its main use is clipped hedging and dense screening along boundaries, but it also stands alone as a small feature tree in a garden or courtyard. Councils and commercial specifiers reach for it where consistent form and reliable coverage matter. It responds so well to trimming that the finished line stays sharp.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Select Lilly Pilly

What is Select Lilly Pilly?

It is a selected form of Syzygium australe, the native brush cherry, chosen for uniform habit and dense foliage rather than for unusual colour. Plants grown from this selection look alike, which is what makes it a reliable hedging line. Growth is upright and rounded, and the canopy stays full from the base up.

How tall does Select grow?

Mature height is 4 to 6 metres with a width of 2 to 3 metres, and it can be trimmed to hold at any point below that. Most hedges are kept between 2 and 3 metres. If you want a screen taller than about 4 metres, plan for the full width as well.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun gives the densest growth and the strongest coppery colour on new leaves, and it is the better choice for a formal hedge. Part shade is fine and the plant will still fill out, though slightly more openly and with less foliage colour. Deep shade under established trees is not suitable.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. For avenue planting, 3 metres apart gives an even line as the canopies meet. Advanced stock at wider spacing will close the gaps within two seasons if kept watered.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes, it tolerates light to moderate frost once established, which covers most temperate Australian gardens. Plants in their first winter benefit from shelter, and a hedge planted in autumn in a cold district may show some tip burn before it settles in. That damage is cosmetic and trims away cleanly in spring.

When does it flower?

Flowering is in spring, broadly September to November, with clusters of fluffy white flowers over the canopy. Small pink berries follow in summer. Frequently clipped hedges flower less, because trimming removes the wood that would carry the flowers, so leave a plant unclipped through late winter if you want the display.

How do I care for Select Lilly Pilly?

Water deeply for the first two summers and mulch the root zone. Trim two or three times through the warmer months, taking a little each time rather than cutting hard once a year. Feed in spring with a controlled release native fertiliser. Keep an eye on soft new growth for psyllid and clip affected shoots off.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Screening or Privacy
  • Council or Civic Landscapes
  • Feature Tree

Syzygium australe ‘Select’ – Select Lilly Pilly works in an:

  • Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
  • Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

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