Acmena smithii minor Cherry Surprise

Common Name: Cherry Surprise Lilly Pilly

Description: Acmena smithii 'Cherry Surprise' is a compact, evergreen Australian native shrub celebrated for its vibrant foliage and dense growth habit. New leaves emerge in a striking cherry red, maturing to a deep green, providing year-round visual interest. In spring and summer, it produces small cream-colored flowers, occasionally followed by fleshy pink berries that attract birds. This psyllid-resistant variety is ideal for hedging, screening, or as a feature plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. Once established, 'Cherry Surprise' is hardy, tolerating light frost and a range of soil types. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and maintains the desired shape.

Form:

• Shrub - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: Approximately 3 meters
• Width: Approximately 1.5 meters

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring
• Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:

• Cream

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Hedging
• Australian native
• Psyllid Resistant
• Attracts Birds
• Drought Tolerant
• Frost Tolerant

Toxicity: No known toxicity to humans or animals.

Companion Plants:

• Grevillea species
• Callistemon (Bottlebrush) species
• Leptospermum (Tea Tree) species
• Westringia (Coastal Rosemary) species