Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly - Evergreen Trees Direct

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly

$150.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 150L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: 1.5m – 2.1m Approx.
150L: 1.8m – 2.4m Approx.

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 mustconfirm 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.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 70cm per year. (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree with an upright, densely branched habit. Its appeal is the new growth, which emerges in bronze, orange and red tones before hardening to glossy deep green, so the plant carries colour through much of the year.

Mature size is 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, with growth of 40 to 70 centimetres a year. Full sun or part shade suits it, in well drained soil including coastal sands and improved clays. It takes light frost, salt wind and moderate dry once established.

Use it for narrow hedges, privacy screens and formal garden structure, or as a colour break in a mixed native border. White flowers in spring bring in bees, and the red berries that follow feed birds. It is a straightforward hedge plant that earns its place on foliage colour alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Winter Lights Lilly Pilly

What is Winter Lights Lilly Pilly?

It is a compact cultivar of the native brush cherry, grown for the colour of its new foliage. Flushes of bronze, orange and red appear over the glossy green canopy whenever the plant puts on growth, and trimming triggers a fresh flush. It stays smaller and denser than the straight species, which is what suits it to hedging.

How big does Winter Lights grow?

It reaches about 3 to 4 metres in height and 2 to 3 metres in width when grown out, and it can be held well below that with regular clipping. Most hedges are maintained between 1.5 and 2.5 metres. The habit is naturally dense, so a trimmed plant stays solid right to ground level.

When does it flower?

Flowering is in spring, roughly September to November, when clusters of fluffy white flowers open across the canopy. Small red to purple berries follow through summer and are taken readily by birds. Hedges clipped frequently through spring will flower less, since the flowers form on growth made the previous season.

Is it suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It handles salt laden wind and sandy coastal soils better than many hedging plants, provided drainage is good and it is watered through establishment. In front line positions growth may be slower and the plant a little more open. A metre or two back from the exposed face, it performs much as it does inland.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

For an informal screen, 1 to 1.5 metres apart gives a dense line without crowding. For a tight formal hedge, plant 80 centimetres apart. Used as a feature shrub, allow 3 to 4 metres for the full form. Wider spacing means a season or two of waiting, but it produces a healthier hedge in the long run.

Is it evergreen?

Yes, it holds its foliage year round. The colour shifts across the seasons as new growth flushes and hardens, but the plant is never bare, which is what makes it useful for privacy. Cold weather tends to deepen the red tones in older leaves. In warm districts the plant may flush new growth almost continuously.

How do I care for Winter Lights?

Water regularly for the first two summers and mulch to keep the root zone cool. Clip lightly two or three times a year, ideally once each colour flush has hardened, to keep the hedge dense and bring on the next flush. Feed in spring with a native fertiliser. Watch for psyllid on soft growth and trim affected tips away.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Shrubs
Council or Civic Landscapes
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Windbreak
Driveway Border

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly works in an:

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

Is Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly Evergreen or Deciduous?

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 70cm per year. (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 70cm per year. (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly

Is Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly frost tolerant?

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly Flower?

Syzygium australe ‘Winter Lights’ produces small white, fluffy flowers during the warmer months, usually in late spring and summer. These blooms are followed by glossy red berries that add further seasonal colour, complementing its distinctive bright red, bronze and lime-green new growth that provides year-round ornamental interest.

Does Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

White

Is Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is Native to Native to eastern Australia, where Syzygium australe grows naturally in subtropical rainforests. ‘Winter Lights’ is a selected cultivar bred for its vivid cold-season foliage colour and dense growth.

What is the Wildlife Value of Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly ?

Its soft new growth and clusters of summer flowers attract native bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects, while the dense evergreen foliage offers excellent shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds. The berries that follow also support fruit-eating birds, making ‘Winter Lights’ a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

How much Sunlight does Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly need?

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Syzygium australe ‘Winter Lights’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will tolerate coastal sands if enriched with organic matter to improve moisture retention and fertility. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or waterlogged sites unless significantly improved, as these conditions can cause root stress and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.

Is Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly Drought Tolerant?

Is Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering to establish thoroughly. Once established, Syzygium australe ‘Winter Lights’ develops good drought tolerance, maintaining vibrant foliage and a compact, tidy habit through warm, dry periods when planted in well-drained soil. Occasional supplementary watering during extended heat supports long-term health and appearance.

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How To Plant Your Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - 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 Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - 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.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

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

Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly is expected to grow 40cm to 70cm per year. (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

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 in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Syzygium australe 'Winter Lights' - Lilly Pilly in Different Soil

Syzygium australe 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes ‘Winter Lights’ stand out from other Lilly Pilly varieties?
A: Its vivid red-orange new growth and narrow form make it ideal for modern landscapes needing both colour and space-efficiency.

Q: Is ‘Winter Lights’ a good hedge plant?
A: Absolutely — its dense, upright habit is perfect for narrow hedging and screening.

Q: Does it tolerate coastal or urban conditions?
A: Yes, it performs well in coastal locations, is psyllid resistant, and tolerates urban pollution and light frost.