Syzygium Australe 'Big Red'

Big Red Lilly Pilly

Botanical Name: Syzygium australe 'Big Red'
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Syzygium australe ‘Big Red’ is a fast-establishing, dependable hedge/screen for South Australian gardens. New growth erupts in vivid crimson to deep burgundy before maturing to glossy green, giving year-round colour. Fluffy white spring–summer flowers are followed by pink-red berries if not clipped, adding wildlife value and seasonal interest.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2–4 m H x 1–2 m W (easily kept to 2–3 m with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 40-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy green leaves with striking, large red–burgundy new growth flushes; dense, tidy habit
• Flowers: Small fluffy white flowers, mainly spring–summer; pink–red berries late summer–autumn if unpruned
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure with repeated bursts of colourful new growth
• Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees/beneficials; berries may feed birds; dense cover for small birds
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat, wind & coastal tolerant; light frost tolerant; good psyllid resistance
• Planting Density: Hedge: 1 plant per metre (0.7 m for very tight screens); Specimen: 1.5–2 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Yes — generally non-toxic; ripe berries from Syzygium australe are edible (moderation advised)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; avoid chronic waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; tip-prune after each flush (or 3–6×/yr) to keep dense; slow-release low-phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring
• Lifespan: 20–30+ years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline with good drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Privacy screening and boundary hedges with a refined finish
• Mass plant for cohesive ground-level structure and low maintenance
  

• Feature near entries, paths and outdoor living spaces; suitable for large pots where noted

Why You Will Love It

Big, bold red flushes for instant curb appeal, plus glossy evergreen density for dependable privacy. Tough in Adelaide’s heat and coastal conditions, bee-friendly when in bloom, and easy to keep neat with quick tip-prunes.