Lilly Pilly ‘Straight and Narrow’ is a popular Australian native cultivar known for its naturally upright, columnar growth habit. It forms a dense, narrow hedge with glossy green foliage and attractive flushes of bronze-red new growth. Small white flowers appear in summer followed by decorative pink to red berries that attract birds. Its slim form makes it ideal for tight spaces, screening, and formal hedging.
Light requirement: Full sun to part shade
Water requirement: Moderate
Watering frequency: Regular during establishment; occasional once established
Soil: Well-draining soil; adaptable to most soil types
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Suitable for container gardens: Yes, suitable for large pots and narrow spaces
Mature Height: 5–8 m
Mature Width: 1–1.5 m (naturally narrow)
Seasonality: Evergreen
Drought Tolerant: Moderate once established
Frost Tolerant: Light frost tolerant
Wind Tolerant: Moderate; suitable for coastal gardens with some protection
Leaf colour: Glossy green with bronze-red new growth
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 5–10 cm long, narrow oval
Flower Colour: White
Flower Shape: Small fluffy clusters
Flower Fragrance: Light
Flower Season: Summer
Fruit Colour: Pink to red
Fruit Shape: Small round berry
Fruit Fragrance: None
Fruit Season: Late summer to autumn
Fruit Edibility: Edible (mild flavour; often used in jams)
Lilly Pilly ‘Straight and Narrow’ is a popular Australian native cultivar known for its naturally upright, columnar growth habit. It forms a dense, narrow hedge with glossy green foliage and attractive flushes of bronze-red new growth. Small white flowers appear in summer followed by decorative pink to red berries that attract birds. Its slim form makes it ideal for tight spaces, screening, and formal hedging.
Light requirement: Full sun to part shade
Water requirement: Moderate
Watering frequency: Regular during establishment; occasional once established
Soil: Well-draining soil; adaptable to most soil types
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Suitable for container gardens: Yes, suitable for large pots and narrow spaces
Mature Height: 5–8 m
Mature Width: 1–1.5 m (naturally narrow)
Seasonality: Evergreen
Drought Tolerant: Moderate once established
Frost Tolerant: Light frost tolerant
Wind Tolerant: Moderate; suitable for coastal gardens with some protection
Leaf colour: Glossy green with bronze-red new growth
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 5–10 cm long, narrow oval
Flower Colour: White
Flower Shape: Small fluffy clusters
Flower Fragrance: Light
Flower Season: Summer
Fruit Colour: Pink to red
Fruit Shape: Small round berry
Fruit Fragrance: None
Fruit Season: Late summer to autumn
Fruit Edibility: Edible (mild flavour; often used in jams)
