Acmena Smithii 'Cherry Black'
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Lilly Pilly Cherry Black
Botanical Name: Acmena smithii ‘Cherry Black’ (syn. Syzygium smithii ‘Cherry Black’)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Eastern Australia (cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub / small tree (hedge or screen)
Overview
A vigorous, upright lilly pilly bred for dense privacy hedging. Fresh growth flushes rich copper to cherry-red, maturing to a glossy deep green. Small white, fluffy flowers in late spring–summer are followed by glossy purple-black “cherry” berries that birds relish; fruit is commonly described as edible. Naturally psyllid-resistant and very easy to clip.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 2.5-4 m H x 1.5-2.5 m W (keeps smaller if regularly clipped)
- Growth Rate: 50-80 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Glossy deep green with copper/cherry-red new growth; naturally dense habit
- Flowers: White, fluffy flowers spring–summer; lightly fragrant; followed by showy purple-black berries (wildlife-friendly; berries are edible and often used for jams/jellies/chutneys)
- Seasonal Interest: Fiery red new growth; summer bloom; long-lasting dark berries
- Wildlife Value: Flowers for pollinators; fruit for birds
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat & wind tolerant; light frost; second-line coastal; suits most free-draining soils (avoid waterlogging). Psyllid-resistant
- Planting Density: Privacy hedge (clipped): ~1 plant/m (75 cm centres recommended for a quick knit); Informal screen: 1.5–2 m apart
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic / pet-friendly; berries are edible (as with any plant, over-consumption may cause mild tummy upset)
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best colour in more sun)
- Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or clay loam; fertile soils/premium potting mixes perform best
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); rarely in winter—only if dry.
- Maintenance: Clip after growth flushes to thicken; prune to shape; mulch in spring; feed lightly with a low-phosphorus, slow-release native fertiliser in spring
- Lifespan: 15–25+ years in well-drained sites
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA; second-line coastal OK
- Soil pH: Neutral (tolerant of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Privacy hedge/screen along boundaries and side fences
- Formal clipped hedge or topiary standards
- Mass plant for a neat, low-maintenance backdrop
- Containers for entries and courtyards
Why You Will Love It
A purpose-bred privacy plant that knits quickly and stays neat. Brilliant cherry-red new growth against glossy green foliage gives year-round colour, while lightly fragrant summer flowers and glossy black berries bring pollinators and birds. Psyllid-resistant, easy to clip and drought-tough once established—an ideal low-maintenance screen for SA gardens.