Lilly Pilly

Syzygium smithii is commonly called Lilly Pilly, with its former botanical name being Acmena smithii. A tree which can be used as hedging, it has ability to grow 6-18m tall and 3-10m wide. It grows small white flowers in the summer and bears small pink fruit that is edible.

Lilly pilly can grow in most soils, whether it is loam, sand or clay soil. It is able to grow in either full sun, half-sun or shade, giving allowance to grow in most gardens. Lilly pilly grows well near the sea, yet is not suitable to grow in areas that commonly have heavy frosts.

A naturally hardy plant that grows fast, but doesn’t tolerate drought or poor drying soils well. It fruits in autumn and winter, to which the fruit can be made into jams. Fruiting begins in two or three years, provided it is in full or partial sunlight.

Australian Plants

Not all that long ago I’ve asked for and got given an Australian herb known as river mint (Mentha australis). The misfortune to getting this plant for free was that it was suspected that herbicide was used on it (despite the plant being wanted) along with being pulled up by who knows who and left on the ground for an unknown amount of time. Absolute fun knowing the low chance of growth.

There was luck with the river mint as it started growing, but so far the growth has been small and currently there are almost no leaf whatsoever except for the few tiny leaves that have recently came to be. And it is this plant that probably sparked an interest in growing native plants, especially a personal favourite known as silver princess (Eucalyptus caesia).

Currently, looking into places where buying seed and seedlings of native plants are of a great idea. There are two places of interest which I shall take a peek at when possible, and while at it, looking into the magical properties of Australian plants would be of idea.