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lilli pilli plant

Searching for the ideal lilli pilli plant for your New Zealand garden? You’re not alone—lilli pilli have become a staple for hedging, privacy screens, and ornamental landscaping. Renowned for their lush evergreen foliage and colourful berries, these tough Australian natives adapt beautifully to our climate. Whether you want to create a fast-growing hedge, attract native birds, or simply enjoy their glossy leaves, the lilli pilli plant is a fantastic choice.

Large Eugenia ventenatii hedge with red and green foliage.

Eugenia ventenatii

Eugenia ventenatii (Lilly Pilly) is a popular evergreen shrub known for its dense foliage, glossy leaves, and attractive new growth. It performs very well in New Zealand conditions and is widely used for hedging, screening, and topiary. This versatile plant provides year round structure and responds well to trimming. Eugenia ventenatii (Lilly Pilly) is ideal for creating privacy and adding greenery to any garden.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
eugenia-uniflora-surinam-cherry-

Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry)

Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as the Surinam or Brazilian Cherry, is a small tree that features new foliage which emerges a bronze colour and ages to become dark green. The somewhat dense foliage is adorned with star-shaped, red fruits during summer. It typically grows to 6 m tall and 3.5 m wide, but can be trimmed as necessary. Eugenia uniflora is commonly used for hedging and screening, planted as a backdrop for smaller plants, grown as a specimen, added to a mixed planting, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 3.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Culinary, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Eugenia ventenatii

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Eugenia, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

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What Is a Lilli Pilli Plant?

Lilli pilli is a common name for a group of closely related evergreen plants native to Australia within the Syzygium and Eugenia genera. These versatile plants are grown for their dense, glossy foliage and clusters of attractive red, pink, or purple fruit. Popular species include Eugenia ventenatii (Lilly Pilly), Syzygium australe, and Eugenia myrtifolia (Syzygium myrtifolia).

Benefits and Uses of Lilli Pilli Plant

Lilli pilli plants are prized for their adaptability, making them excellent for a range of garden uses:

Best Lilli Pilli Species for NZ Gardens

Several species suit New Zealand’s conditions, including Eugenia ventenatii (Lilly Pilly) for its vigorous growth and compact form. Syzygium australe is another robust option, thriving in coastal areas and tolerating some frost. For smaller spaces or container planting, Eugenia myrtifolia (Syzygium myrtifolia) is a low-maintenance cultivar with a bushy habit.

If you’re interested in exploring other members of the Eugenia genus, consider Eugenia jambolana (Java Plum) for edible fruit, or Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove) for spice-producing blooms.

Growing and Caring for Lilli Pilli

Lilli pilli plants are hardy, drought-resistant, and tolerant of a range of soils. For best results:

These evergreens thrive in full sun to partial shade and handle windy or exposed sites well—a bonus for New Zealand gardens.

Find Your Perfect Lilli Pilli Plant

Ready to plant a lilli pilli hedge or landscape feature? Explore our selection of lilli pilli varieties, including top picks like Eugenia ventenatii (Lilly Pilly) and Syzygium australe, and discover the ideal shrub or tree for your needs. With their resilience and beauty, lilli pilli plants will transform your garden into a vibrant, private retreat year-round.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our garden favourites Corokia 'Geenty's Green' and Heuchera Peppermint Spice (Coral Bells) get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Cornus controversa, Feijoa 'Golden Goose', and Acer Brandywine (Brandywine Maple).
–The Plant Company

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