A weeping lilly pilly hedge uses Waterhousea floribunda, a fast-growing Australian rainforest native with arching, glossy leaves that makes a soft, dense screen in Sydney. It suits larger blocks with moist soil, but left untrimmed it becomes a big tree, so plan your trimming before you plant.
This guide covers how big it grows, where to plant it, how to prune it, common problems and trimming costs. For other options see our hedges guide.
Key points
- Waterhousea floribunda grows quickly, tolerates moist soil, and forms a dense hedge when trimmed from a young age.
- Unpruned, it can grow into a very large tree (indicative — check the plant label), so it suits big blocks or regular trimming.
- Trim in the warmer months using sharp tools, and keep powered trimmers inside NSW noise hours.
- Hedge trimming for a small hedge in Sydney typically costs about $115 per job (range $69 to $205) including GST, as at October 2026.
Weeping lilly pilly hedge at a glance
This table summarises how the plant behaves as a hedge in Sydney conditions.
| Feature | Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Waterhousea floribunda | Often listed under older names, so check the tag when you buy. |
| Type | Evergreen native tree, rainforest and creek-bank origin | It likes moisture and shelter more than baking dry sites. |
| Foliage | Glossy, narrow, weeping leaves with bronze new growth | Gives a soft, fine-textured hedge rather than a stiff, formal one. |
| Flowers and fruit | Creamy flowers in summer, followed by small fruit (indicative — check the plant label) | Fruit drops onto paths and lawns, so keep clear of pavers and pools. |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade | Dense growth in full sun; thinner and leggier in deep shade. |
| Soil and water | Moist, well-mulched soil | Water young plants within Sydney Water’s Water Wise hours. |
| Frost | Tolerates light frost once established | Protect young plants in cold western Sydney pockets. |
Waterhousea floribunda (weeping lilly pilly): names and identification
This plant is sold under several names and spellings, which makes shopping confusing.
| Name you may see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Waterhousea floribunda | The current botanical name for weeping lilly pilly |
| Weeping lilly pilly / lilly pilly weeping | The common name used in nurseries and online searches |
| Waterhousia or water housia | A common misspelling of Waterhousea |
| Waterhousea lilly pilly | The genus name used as a nickname for the whole group |
| Weeping lily | A loose, incorrect shorthand; confirm the botanical name on the tag |
| Syzygium floribundum | An older botanical name still used by some growers |
Full grown weeping lilly pilly: how big does it get?
Size is the main reason people regret this plant, so check it carefully before you buy.
- In the right conditions the tree can grow very tall and broad (indicative — check the plant label), well beyond a typical hedge.
- As a hedge you control height and width by trimming, and you start trimming while the plant is young to build density.
- Leave a hedge untrimmed for several seasons and it will outgrow fences, gutters and power lines.
- Large trees on the boundary may need council approval to remove or significantly prune, so check your council’s tree rules first.
- Any work above head height, near power lines or on a large tree is for a qualified arborist.
- For tight spaces, consider a narrower lilly pilly; our straight and narrow lilly pilly guide covers a slimmer option.
Weeping lilly pilly hedge vs other hedge plants
Compare it with common Sydney hedges to see whether it suits your block.
| Hedge plant | Look | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeping lilly pilly | Soft, arching, fine leaves | Large privacy screens with moist soil | Very large size if untrimmed |
| Other lilly pillies (see our lilly pilly hedge guide) | Dense, glossy, formal | Medium to large hedges | Psyllid on soft new growth in humid summers |
| Murraya (see our murraya hedge guide) | Dense, scented flowers | Compact hedges in warm gardens | Spreading seedlings and strong scent |
| Snow Maiden rhaphiolepis | Compact, flowering | Low hedges and borders | Needs good drainage |
| Geisha girl | Small, glossy, compact | Low formal edging | Slow compared with lilly pilly |
Where to plant a weeping lilly pilly hedge
Good siting prevents most later headaches with roots, shade and trimming access.
- Choose a moist, sheltered position such as a low corner or creek-side block, where the plant’s rainforest nature suits the soil.
- Leave room behind the hedge for trimming, because you’ll need to reach the back and top without leaning on a fence.
- Keep it well away from pipes, pools, pavers and retaining walls, as vigorous roots can lift or crack them.
- On heavy clay in western Sydney, add organic matter for drainage; on sandy coastal soil, mulch heavily to hold moisture.
- Space plants as the label advises (indicative — check the plant label), and avoid planting so tight that the hedge crowds itself.
- Check your council’s rules for height limits and boundary hedges before you plant along a neighbour’s fence.
How to plant a hedge from tubestock or pots
Plant in autumn or spring, when soil is warm and moisture is reliable.
- Mark the hedge line with string, then loosen the soil along a strip rather than digging individual holes.
- Mix organic matter through heavy or sandy soil to improve moisture holding and drainage.
- Soak each plant in its pot, then ease it out and tease any circling roots.
- Set each plant level with the soil surface at the spacing the label gives (indicative — check the plant label).
- Backfill, firm gently and water slowly, before 10 am or after 4 pm, with a trigger nozzle or drip line.
- Mulch, keeping it off the stems, and water regularly through the first summer.
- Tip-trim new growth lightly after planting to encourage bushy, dense growth from the base.
Pruning and trimming a weeping lilly pilly hedge
Regular light trims keep the hedge dense and stop it turning into a tree.
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Formative trim | First seasons after planting | Tip-prune often to thicken the base and avoid a leggy, bare hedge. |
| Main trim | Late spring and again in late summer or autumn | Cut so the top is slightly narrower than the base, letting light reach lower foliage. |
| Tools | All year | Use sharp shears or a hedge trimmer, and wear eye and hearing protection and gloves. |
| Powered trimming hours | 7 am to 8 pm weekdays and Saturdays; 8 am to 8 pm Sundays and public holidays | NSW noise rules apply if neighbours can hear it inside their home. |
| Height reduction | Over several seasons | Reduce gradually, as hard cuts into bare wood may not reshoot. |
| Clippings | After each trim | Rake up and bag or compost; green waste removal is an option for big jobs. |
Common problems with a lilly pilly hedge
Humid summers cause most of the trouble, so watch the new growth.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pitted, distorted new leaves | Psyllid feeding on soft growth | Trim off affected tips and see our lilly pilly resilience guide; book a licensed pest controller for treatment. |
| Yellow leaves | Poor drainage or underfeeding | Improve drainage and feed as the label directs. |
| Bare lower stems | Too much shade from an untrimmed top | Narrow the top and thin the canopy gradually. |
| Brown tips | Dry soil, wind or root damage | Mulch and water deeply within Water Wise hours. |
| Hedge too tall | Long gaps between trims | Reduce height in stages, or hire a gardener. |
Weeping lilly pilly hedge trimming cost in Sydney
These prices include GST and are Sydney rates as at October 2026; bigger hedges are quoted by size and access.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small hedge trimming, per job | $69 | $115 | $205 |
| Gardener, per hour | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Garden clean-up, half day | $170 | $290 | $460 |
| Garden clean-up, full day | $320 | $520 | $805 |
| Tree pruning, per tree | $230 | $520 | $1,375 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying it as a tidy small hedge without realising it can become a very large tree.
- Planting too close to fences, pipes and paving, then struggling to trim or repair them.
- Skipping early tip-pruning, which leaves a tall, bare-legged hedge with leaves only at the top.
- Trimming hard into old bare wood, which may not reshoot.
- Using powered trimmers at 6 am or on Sunday mornings before the legal start time.
- Spraying for pests without a label or a licence; book a licensed pest controller for psyllid treatment instead.
FAQ: weeping lilly pilly
How big is a full grown weeping lilly pilly?
Left alone, a full grown weeping lilly pilly can become a very large tree, so check the mature size on the nursery label. In a hedge, trimming keeps it to the height and width you choose. Without regular trims it will outgrow fences and power lines quickly.
Is Waterhousea floribunda a good hedge?
Yes, on larger blocks with moist soil. It grows fast, forms a dense, soft screen and has attractive new growth. It needs regular trimming and space, and it’s less suited to narrow side passages or small courtyards where a compact plant is easier.
Does a weeping lilly pilly get psyllids?
Many lilly pillies suffer from psyllid in humid summers, and weeping types can also be affected on soft new growth. Trim damaged tips and keep plants healthy. For treatment, book a licensed pest controller rather than using products off-label.
When should you trim a weeping lilly pilly hedge?
Trim lightly and often during the warm growing months, with a main trim in late spring and another in late summer or autumn. Keep powered tools inside NSW noise hours, and avoid heavy cuts into bare wood that may not reshoot.
Getting your hedge trimmed in Sydney
If your hedge has outgrown your ladder, we can trim, shape and take away the clippings on a regular schedule. Tell us the height and access, then book hedge trimming in Sydney and we’ll quote it in writing.
