Acmena smithii Minor Sunrise

Common Name:
Sunrise Lilly Pilly

Description:
Acmena smithii 'Minor Sunrise' is a compact, vibrant cultivar of the popular Australian native Lilly Pilly, renowned for its colourful new growth and suitability for hedging in tight spaces. Its standout feature is the luminous flush of sunrise-hued foliage—tones of pink, orange, and lime—that emerges throughout the growing season, contrasting beautifully with the mature glossy green leaves. This evergreen shrub has a naturally dense and upright form, making it ideal for screening, formal hedges, or as a feature plant in pots or small gardens. 'Minor Sunrise' performs exceptionally well in Melbourne's climate, tolerating a range of soil types as long as drainage is adequate. It grows best in full sun to part shade and is resistant to psyllid, a common pest in other Lilly Pilly varieties. In summer, it may produce fluffy white flowers followed by edible magenta berries that attract birds. With its compact habit, colourful foliage, and resilience, it is a favourite for both residential and commercial landscapes.

Form:
*Shrub - Medium
*Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding
*Suitable for Hedging

Mature Size:
*Height: 1 to 2 metres
*Width: 80 cm to 1.2 metres

Aspect:
*Full Sun
*Part Shade

Flowering:
*Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
*White

Key Attributes:
*Suitable for Pots
*Australian native
*Bird Attracting
*Edible Fruit
*Disease Resistant
*Suitable for Hedging
*Evergreen
*Psyllid Resistant
*Low Maintenance
*Colourful New Growth

Toxicity:
*Non-toxic to humans
*Non-toxic to pets

Companion Plants:
*Callistemon ‘Little John’
*Westringia ‘Grey Box’
*Lomandra ‘Katie Belles’
*Syzygium australe 'Resilience'
*Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’