Syzygium oleosum
Blue Lilly Pilly
Overview
Syzygium oleosum is a small to medium evergreen tree that grows 15-50 feet (5-15 m) tall, with a dense, rounded crown and smooth to flaky brown bark. The opposite leaves are 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, glossy dark green, and dotted with oil glands that give off a citrus scent when crushed; new growth flushes pink to red. Fluffy clusters of cream to white flowers, made up mostly of many stamens about 0.5 inch (12 mm) long, open in spring and summer. They are followed by rounded, edible berries 0.5-0.8 inch (12-20 mm) across that ripen glossy blue to purple with a waxy bloom. It grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest and along streams in eastern Australia. The berries are taken by birds and are eaten fresh or made into preserves. It grows in moist, sheltered positions and is sensitive to hard frost when young. The juicy fruit drops when ripe and can stain paving beneath the tree.
Native Range
Syzygium oleosum is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to southern New South Wales. It grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest and along streams and moist gullies.Suggested Uses
Syzygium oleosum is grown as a screening and hedging plant, a shade tree, and a bush-food plant for its edible blue berries in frost-free and near-frost-free gardens. It suits rainforest restoration and habitat plantings for fruit-eating birds in eastern Australia.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 50'
Width/Spread10' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to whiteFoliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Syzygium oleosum grows in full sun to part shade on moist, free-draining, humus-rich soils and tolerates short dry spells once established. Young plants are sensitive to hard frost and need shelter and steady moisture, while mature trees are hardier in USDA zones 10-11. It responds well to pruning and is grown as a hedge or screen as well as a single tree. The fruit attracts birds and drops when ripe. Psyllid insects can pock the leaves of some lilly pillies, though S. oleosum is less affected than several related species.Pruning
Syzygium oleosum tolerates regular clipping and is pruned into hedges and screens, reshooting densely from cut stems. Light pruning after flowering shapes the plant and removes spent flower clusters. Harder pruning in late winter renews leggy growth before the spring flush.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons