Acmena smithii 'Firescreen' - Lilly Pilly

An Australian native Lilly Pilly with vibrant fire-red new growth and clusters of small, fluffy white flowers in summer, followed by edible berries. Very psyllid resistant. Perfect for hedging, screening, fast-forming screens, compact grower for narrow spaces.

Quick Info

Height: Up to 4m (fast-growing hedging tree)

Width: 2m (dense, compact form)

Growth Rate: Fast – establishes quickly for rapid screening and hedge formation

Frost Tolerance: Light frost tolerant once established

Drought Tolerance: Drought tolerant once established

Positioning: Full sun to part shade

Perfect For

> Fast-growing hedging and screening 

> Formal and informal hedging in residential gardens

> Topiary and shaped plantings

> Container and pot planting

> Wildlife & native gardens attracting birds with edible berries

Plant Variety Overview

Acmena smithii 'Firescreen' is an exceptional Australian native Lilly Pilly cultivar renowned for its vibrant ornamental qualities, fast growth habit, and exceptional psyllid resistance.

This reliable native delivers year-round visual interest through distinctive copper/fire shades of red new growth, clusters of small fluffy white flowers in summer, and decorative edible berries that follow flowering.

The tree displays the characteristic dense branching of Lilly Pillys with the added ornamental bonus of striking copper-red foliage emergence that provides colour contrast throughout the growing season.

The naturally compact, fast-growing habit makes this cultivar ideal for quick-forming hedges, screens and topiary applications.

The combination of vibrant new growth colour, summer flowering, edible berries, fast growth and exceptional psyllid resistance makes Firescreen a superior choice for Australian native hedging and screening projects.

Why You'll Love It

> Vibrant Copper-Red New Growth: Striking new foliage colour provides continuous ornamental interest throughout the growing season

> Summer Flowering: Clusters of small fluffy white flowers create delicate floral display and attract pollinators

> Edible Berries: Decorative berries follow flowering, adding colour and attracting native birds to the garden

> Exceptional Psyllid Resistance: Superior resistance to psyllid infestations that plague standard Lilly Pilly varieties—a major advantage for native hedging

> Fast Growth Rate: Rapid establishment delivers quick-forming screens and hedges without the wait

> Versatile Application: Equally suited to hedging, screening, topiary, and container planting depending on garden requirements

> Dual Hardiness: Frost and drought tolerant once established—reliable across diverse Australian sites

Growing Guide

Climate & Hardiness: Hardy across temperate, warm temperate and subtropical regions. Frost tolerant once established. Performs well across East Coast from QLD through VIC. Not suitable for very cold alpine regions.

Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade. Full sun promotes faster growth, denser branching and more vibrant new growth colour. Part shade tolerated but results in more open growth.

Soil Requirements: Tolerates a wide range of soil types. Prefers well-drained soil. Can adapt to poor soils once established. 

Wind & Salt Tolerance: Protect from harsh wind and salt spray exposure which can damage foliage and stress young plants.

Pest & Disease Management: Exceptional psyllid resistance is a major advantage over standard Lilly Pilly varieties. Generally very hardy with few other pest or disease issues.

Pruning & Maintenance: Responds well to pruning and shaping. Can be pruned regularly to maintain hedge form or left to develop natural shape. Light pruning after flowering promotes ongoing growth and flowering. Ideal for topiary and formal shaping applications.

Spacing: Plant every 80cm apart for faster-forming hedge or further apart for slower-forming hedge or more informal appearance.

Height Approximates in Pots for this Variety