{"product_id":"syzygium-smithii-cheeky-merlot","title":"Syzygium smithii 'Cheeky Merlot'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheeky Merlot Lilly Pilly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcmena smithii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Cheeky Merlot' PBR (syn.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSyzygium smithii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Cheeky Merlot')\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMyrtaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAustralian cultivar (species native to east coast rainforests, Qld to Vic)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen dwarf compact shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA delightful dwarf lilly pilly that delivers everything the family is renowned for in a genuinely compact package, \u003cspan\u003eSyzygium\u003c\/span\u003e smithii 'Cheeky Merlot' is a low-branching, densely foliaged shrub with outstanding rich burgundy-red new growth that matures to deep, glossy green. It is one of the most richly coloured of the compact lilly pillies, and that vivid merlot-toned flush of new growth repeated with each burst of spring, summer and autumn growth makes it a standout colour plant for borders, hedges and containers.\u003cbr\u003eLike all Acmena smithii selections, 'Cheeky Merlot' benefits from the species' outstanding psyllid resistance — the disfiguring lilly pilly pest that troubles many Syzygium species is rarely a problem here. It tolerates full sun through to heavy shade, responds beautifully to pruning, handles drought and frost once established, and suits a very wide range of Adelaide garden positions. A versatile, reliable and genuinely attractive native shrub that earns its place year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e1.2–1.5 m H x 0.8–1.0 m W (compact, low-branching, dense upright habit; responds well to pruning and can be maintained smaller)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eModerate; 20–30 cm per year; forms a dense hedge in 2–3 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSmall, glossy, lance-shaped deep green leaves; outstanding rich burgundy-red to deep merlot new growth produced with each flush through spring, summer and autumn; dense, naturally tidy evergreen habit year-round; pleasantly aromatic foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSmall, fluffy cream to white flowers in clusters at branch tips; spring through summer; individually small but produced in cheerful numbers; followed by small white to pink-purple decorative berries attractive to birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNot significantly fragrant; foliage lightly aromatic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGlossy evergreen foliage year-round; rich burgundy-red new growth produced repeatedly through spring, summer and autumn providing ongoing seasonal colour; cream flowers in spring and summer; small decorative berries in autumn and winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFlowers attract bees and beneficial insects; berries attract small birds; dense foliage provides nesting shelter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDrought-tolerant once established; frost hardy (tolerates light to moderate frost); heat-tolerant; tolerates full sun to heavy shade; adaptable to sandy, loam, clay loam and poor soils; psyllid resistant — a significant advantage over many other lilly pilly species; dislikes prolonged waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTight hedge: 2–3 plants per metre (40–50 cm spacing); standard hedge: 1–2 plants per metre (60–80 cm spacing); suitable for containers (30 cm+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNon-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun to heavy shade; one of the most adaptable lilly pillies for varying light conditions; best burgundy new growth colour intensity in full sun to part shade; tolerates deep shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAdaptable to sandy, loamy, clay loam and poor soils; prefers moderately moist, well-drained conditions; tolerates Adelaide's variable soil types; incorporate compost before planting; avoid prolonged waterlogging; tolerates neutral to alkaline pH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: deep soak 2–3 times\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: low to moderate; deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; fortnightly in spring and autumn; minimal in winter; additional summer watering maintains best appearance and supports growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePrune lightly at any time to maintain shape and stimulate new coloured growth flushes; responds very well to regular light clipping for formal hedges; feed with a slow-release balanced fertiliser in spring and autumn; mulch to retain moisture; monitor for scale insects; generally very low maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLong-lived; 20+ years in appropriate conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWell suited to all Adelaide zones; Adelaide Plains, coastal suburbs, metropolitan gardens, foothills and Fleurieu Peninsula; adaptable across Mediterranean and temperate SA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAdaptable; acid, neutral and mildly alkaline (pH 5.5–7.5); tolerates Adelaide's variable soil conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow formal or informal hedge where the dense, psyllid-resistant foliage and repeated flushes of deep burgundy new growth create a refined, colour-rich border requiring minimal maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMass planting in garden beds where repeated burgundy-to-green colour transitions through the growing season create an ongoing textural and colour display with little effort\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContainer specimen for courtyards, balconies and alfresco areas where the compact size, tidy habit and vivid new growth colour create year-round interest in a manageable scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow border edging along paths, driveways and garden entrances where the compact scale and colourful new growth create a welcoming, polished edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombine with silver-grey Westringia, lime-green Lomandra and deep green Dianella for a bold foliage colour palette across the full green-to-burgundy spectrum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Cheeky Merlot' is one of those plants that keeps giving — every new flush of rich burgundy growth through the warmer months is a little seasonal event in itself, and the glossy deep green backdrop makes the colour pop beautifully. Psyllid resistant, shade tolerant, drought hardy and genuinely versatile, it is one of the most practical and attractive dwarf lilly pillies available for Adelaide gardens.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"200mm Pot","offer_id":49047588831484,"sku":"SYZY-SMIT-CHER-MERL-200MM","price":22.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/acmena-smithii-cheeky-merlot-lilly-pilly-200mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1777801061","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/syzygium-smithii-cheeky-merlot","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}