'Backyard Bliss' Lilly Pilly
Botanical Name: Syzygium Australe 'Backyard Bliss' (standard)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia (NSW/QLD)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (grafted standard)
Overview
STANDARD / Syzygium australe ‘Backyard Bliss’ forms a neat, glossy lollipop canopy on a clear trunk—instant structure for Adelaide gardens. New growth flushes red-bronze before maturing to rich green, and fluffy white spring–summer flowers can be followed by pink–red berries if not clipped. Bred for tight form and high psyllid resistance, it’s ideal for statement pots, paired entries and formal avenues.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 1.8–3 m H × 0.8–1.5 m W (canopy size depends on graft height & pruning)
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Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
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Foliage: Glossy green leaves with striking red-bronze new growth; dense, easily clipped canopy; highly psyllid-resistant
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Flowers: Small, fluffy white blooms spring–summer; pink–red berries late summer–autumn (if not hard-clipped)
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Seasonal Interest: Year-round evergreen structure; colourful new growth; spring bloom and seasonal berries
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Wildlife Value: Flowers offer nectar for bees/beneficials; berries may feed birds; dense canopy provides shelter
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Tolerance: Drought- and heat-tolerant once established; wind & coastal tolerant; light frost tolerant; handles regular clipping and urban conditions
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Planting Density: Standards/specimens: space 1.5–2 m apart; for very tight avenue rhythm use 1.2–1.5 m
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Pet Friendly: Yes — generally non-toxic; ripe berries from Syzygium australe are edible (moderation advised)
Where It Works Best
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Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (more sun = tighter canopy & stronger colour)
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Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; avoid chronic waterlogging
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Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; rarely in winter if dry
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Maintenance: Mulch in spring; light clip 3–6×/yr to maintain the ball (tip-prune after a flush rather than shearing); remove any shoots below the graft; slow-release, low-phosphorus native feed in early spring
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Lifespan: 20–40+ years
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Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA, including coastal suburbs
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Soil pH: Slightly acid to mildly alkaline; best in free-draining soils
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Formal pairs flanking gates, paths and entries
- Avenue of standards along driveways/fences for a crisp, modern look
- Statement pot specimen (45–60 cm+ pot) for patios and courtyards; underplant with silver/blue groundcovers for contrast
Why You Will Love It
A polished, designer standard that loves Adelaide—glossy foliage with red new growth, easy shaping, bee-friendly blooms and tough performance in pots or in-ground, all with low maintenance and high psyllid resistance.
