Acmena Smithii 'Orange Crush'
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Lilly Pilly Orange Crush
Botanical Name: Acmena smithii ‘Orange Crush’ (syn. Syzygium smithii ‘Orange Crush’)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia (cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub (hedge/screen)
Overview
A fast, upright lilly pilly bred for privacy hedging. New growth flushes bright orange–red, maturing to glossy mid-green. Small white, fluffy flowers in spring–summer are followed by purple/mauve berries that birds enjoy; fruit is commonly described as edible. Psyllid-resistant and easy to clip.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 1.5-2.5 m H x 1-2 m W
- Growth Rate: 40-80 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Glossy green with bright orange/copper new growth; dense habit
- Flowers: White, fluffy flowers spring–summer; lightly fragrant; purple/mauve berries after flowering (wildlife-friendly; berries are edible and commonly used for jams, jellies, sauces or chutneys)
- Seasonal Interest: Fiery new-growth flushes; summer flowers; decorative berries
- Wildlife Value: Flowers for pollinators; berries for birds
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat & wind tolerant; light frost; second-line coastal; suits most free-draining soils (avoid waterlogging). Psyllid-resistant
- Planting Density: Privacy hedge (clipped): ~1 plant/m (75 cm centres recommended for a quick knit); Informal screen: 1.5–2 m apart
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic / pet-friendly; berries are edible. (As with any plant, overeating may cause mild tummy upset.)
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or clay loam; fertile soils/premium potting mixes perform best
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rarely in winter—only if dry.
- Maintenance: Clip after flushes to thicken; prune to shape; mulch in spring
- Lifespan: 15–25+ years in well-drained sites
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA; second-line coastal OK
- Soil pH: Neutral (adaptable from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Privacy hedge/screen along boundaries and side fences
- Formal clipped hedge
- Mass plant for a neat, low-maintenance backdrop
- Containers for entries and courtyards
Why You Will Love It
A purpose-bred privacy hedge that covers fast. Fiery orange new growth matures to glossy green for year-round colour, while lightly fragrant spring flowers and mauve berries draw pollinators and birds. Psyllid-resistant, easy to clip, and drought-tolerant once established—a neat, low-maintenance screen made for SA gardens.