Syzygium Australe 'Up & Away'

Up & Away Lilly Pilly

Botanical Name: Syzygium australe 'Up & Away'
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Syzygium australe 'Up & Away' is a compact, upright lilly pilly that thrives in Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate. Expect fast establishment, dense branching and vivid red–bronze new growth that matures to glossy green. Fluffy white flowers through spring–summer invite pollinators, and pink-red berries may follow if you don’t trim immediately after flowering—great for wildlife value and seasonal colour.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1.5–3 m H x 1–1.5 m W (easily kept to 2–2.5 m with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 40-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy, mid-green leaves with bold red/bronze new-growth flushes; naturally tidy, narrow habit
• Flowers: Small, fluffy white blooms mainly spring–summer; may set pink-red berries late summer–autumn if not hard-clipped
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure with repeated colourful new-growth flushes; spring–summer flowers and occasional berries
• Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees/beneficials; berries can 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 are edible (moderation advised)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (more sun = tighter growth & stronger colour)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; avoid chronic waterlogging; performs well in raised beds and large pots
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (more in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; tip-prune after each flush (or 3–6×/yr) to keep hedges dense; clip after flowering if you want to limit fruit; 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 preferred; tolerates mildly alkaline with good drainage

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Narrow privacy hedges and boundary screens that stay neat without constant hard clipping
• Mass plant for a cohesive, low-maintenance, colour-rich backdrop in modern or native schemes
• Feature near entries, paths and outdoor living spaces; also strong in large pots for courtyards

Why You Will Love It

Quick to fill in, naturally narrow and beautifully glossy—with dramatic red flushes that pop against fences and façades. ‘Up & Away’ is water-wise once established, bee-friendly in bloom, and stays showroom-tidy with simple tip-pruning—ideal for Adelaide hedges and stylish courtyard screens.