Acmena Smithii 'Sublime'
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Lilly Pilly Sublime
Botanical Name: Acmena smithii ‘Sublime’ — syn. Syzygium smithii ‘Sublime’
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia (cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub (hedge/screen)
Overview
‘Sublime’ is a fast, dense lilly pilly with refreshing lime-green new growth that matures to glossy green, holding foliage to the ground for excellent cover. Psyllid-resistant and highly myrtle-rust tolerant, it’s purpose-bred for hedging and screening; summer brings white fluffy flowers and only minimal berries.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 4-5 m H x 2-3 m W (can be kept lower by clipping)
- Growth Rate: 40-80 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Dense, glossy; lime-green flushes on new growth
- Flowers: White, fluffy flowers in summer (lightly fragrant); rare/minimal berries (deep to light mauve; edible; non-staining)
- Seasonal Interest: Repeating lime flushes; summer bloom; low-mess fruiting
- Wildlife Value: Flowers for pollinators; occasional berries for birds
- Tolerance: Drought and cold tolerant once established; seaside (second-line)
- Planting Density: Privacy hedge (clipped): 1 plant per metre (≈80 cm centres for fastest knit); Informal screen: 1.5–2 m apart
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
- Soil: Free-draining loam/sandy loam/clay loam; mulch well
- Water Needs: Establishment: water regularly 8–13 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rarely in winter if dry
- Maintenance: Clip after flushes to thicken; easy to shape; suitable near pools (fibrous roots, small footprint).
- Lifespan: 15–25+ years in well-drained sites
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA; second-line coastal OK
- Soil pH: Neutral (adaptable: slightly acidic–slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Privacy hedge/screen for boundaries and side fences
- Formal clipped hedge or topiary columns
- Mass plant for a neat evergreen backdrop
- Poolside screening (low fruit; non-staining)
Why You Will Love It
A purpose-bred privacy hedge with vivid lime flushes, very low fruit, and strong pest/disease resistance—fast coverage and low maintenance made for SA gardens.