Grown both as an ornamental plant and as Bush Tucker plant Syzygium luehmannii is commonly called the Riberry Lillpilly.
This a tree with dense foliage, mid to deep green, amazing new pink foliage in late winter to spring and fluffy white flowers in summer.
The flowers are followed by masses of red berries, very juicy and edible. Rather eaten fresh the berries are used for making jams as well as wine and LillyPilly cordial.
Use it as a screening plant mass planted as a hedge, or perhaps a mixed hedge of edible native plants.
In its natural habit this is a tree that can reach 30m in height, in the garden usually less than 1/2 this.
With its dense growth habit it makes a good nesting place for native birds, in flower it attracts bees and nectar seeking birds. It is also resistant to the psyllid affect many other Lilly Pilly Varieties
How to grow Syzygium luehmannii
- Choose a position with a well drained soil.
- Full sun to part shade.
- The best time to plant is in spring.
- Supplement the top soil with well rotted compost and a little bone meal (Blood and Bone)
- Foe dense hedges plant at around 1 metre apart.
- Water in well and mulch around the plant.
- Keep moist through the frost summer.
- Once established water during long dry periods in summer.
Pruning
Like most Lilly Pillies Syzygium luehmannii is easy to prune to maintain a smaller size.
Summary information
- Botanical Name : Syzygium luehmannii
- Common Name : Riberry Lilly Pilly, Small leaf Lilly Pilly
- Family : Myrtaceae
- Height : To 10 m
- Spread : To around 5 m
- Position : Part shade to Full Sun
- Soil : Humus rich well drained and moist.
- Flowers : White to creamy white
- Flowering Time : Summer
- Growth rate : Medium to fast
- Frost tolerant : Light frosts only, better frost tolerance once established.
- Drought tolerant : Medium