Native Plant of the Month: Blue Lilly Pilly

Blue Lilly Pilly (Syzygium oleosum) is a fast-growing, bushy, small tree reaching to around 6 metres tall when grown in a garden.

In its native rainforest habitat, the Blue Lilly Pilly can grow to 15 metres. The leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed and sticky to touch. Fluffy white flowers from late Spring are followed by profuse edible purplish-blue bird-attracting berries. It grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, but it will also grow well on sandy soils if there is enough available moisture.

The Blue Lilly Pilly is frost sensitive when young and is another good screen and hedge plant like Brush Cherry, featured in the June edition of Environment Matters.

Some fine specimens can be observed in the beautiful bushland reserve between Lakeside Way and Cathie Creek at Lake Cathie.

Landcare nursery

Blue Lilly Pilly is often available for sale at the Landcare Community Nursery.

Learn more about the nursery at www.landcareportmac.com.au

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