Acmena smithii 'Select'

Common Name:
Lilly Pilly ‘Select’

Description:
Acmena smithii ‘Select’ is a dense, evergreen Australian native shrub or small tree, highly regarded for its compact growth habit, glossy green foliage, and excellent performance as a hedge or screening plant. New growth emerges in attractive bronze to coppery tones before maturing to deep green, providing subtle seasonal colour contrast. In late spring to early summer, it produces fluffy white flowers followed by small, decorative purple berries that attract birds. Well suited to Melbourne’s temperate climate, ‘Select’ thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types provided they are well drained. It responds exceptionally well to regular pruning, making it ideal for formal hedging, topiary, and structured garden designs. Hardy and relatively low maintenance once established, this variety is also known for improved resistance to psyllids compared to older forms of lilly pilly.

Form:
Tree - Small
Shrub - Large

Mature Size:
Height: 3–5 m (can be maintained lower with pruning)
Width: 2–3 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
White

Key Attributes:
Australian native
Suitable for Hedging
Suitable for Topiary
Suitable for Espalier
Bird Attracting
Edible Fruit
Perennial
Evergreen
Psyllid Resistant (improved tolerance)
Suitable for Screening

Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets. Berries are edible when ripe.

Companion Plants:
Westringia
Lomandra
Callistemon
Correa
Gardenia

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here