Waterhousea Floribunda 'Green Avenue'

Green Avenue Weeping Lilly Pilly / Waterhousea Green Avenue

Botanical Name: Waterhousea floribunda ‘Green Avenue’
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia (East Coast rainforest species)
Plant Type: Evergreen tree

Overview

A handsome, fast-growing evergreen tree ideal for creating lush screening and leafy structure in Adelaide gardens, Waterhousea ‘Green Avenue’ delivers a soft, weeping form with fresh green foliage that moves beautifully in the wind. Well-suited to coastal, urban, and suburban sites, it tolerates heat, dry spells once established, and performs reliably as a feature or privacy tree. New growth emerges warm bronze before maturing to glossy green, adding seasonal colour and interest. With its dense canopy, elegant habit, and minimal maintenance needs, it is a standout choice for creating a natural, green backdrop in South Australian landscapes.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 6–10 m H × 3–5 m W (smaller with pruning or hedging)
• Growth Rate: 40–80 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy, elongated leaves with bronze–copper new growth; mature foliage mid-green with a soft, pendulous habit; foliage mildly aromatic when crushed
• Flowers: Clusters of creamy-white, fluffy blooms in late spring to summer, followed by small green–pink berries
  
• Seasonal Interest: Bronze flushes on new growth through the warmer months, soft weeping green foliage year-round, and cream flowers in summer
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; fruits provide food for birds; dense canopy offers nesting and cover
• Tolerance: Handles heat, dry periods once established, and coastal winds; tolerates light frost; thrives in a wide range of soils including clay-loams common in Adelaide when drainage is improved
• Planting Density: Screening/hedging: 1–1.5 m apart; Avenue planting: 3–5 m spacing; Feature tree: allow 4–6 m canopy space
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; safe for household gardens

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade; performs best with at least half-day sun
• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained loam but adapts to clay-loam, sandy soils, and mildly alkaline ground
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; weekly during extreme heat; low water needs in winter
• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance. Light prune annually or after flushes to maintain shape or hedge form. Mulch well, fertilise in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Adelaide plains, foothills, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu, Barossa, and Yorke Peninsula
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline; adaptable with good drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Tall privacy screen or living fence
• Lush, elegant feature tree for lawns or garden centres
• Softening large boundaries, fences, and modern architectural lines
• Avenue planting for driveways and paths
• Excellent in coastal or suburban gardens needing evergreen structure

Why You Will Love It

‘Green Avenue’ gives you a graceful, evergreen screen with the softness of weeping foliage, fast growth, and year-round colour. It thrives in Adelaide’s climate, delivering a lush, cooling presence with minimal effort — the perfect choice for creating privacy, greenery, and movement in modern or traditional gardens.