The Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) is an absolutely magnificent choice, especially if you are trying to create a tall, lush screen or a beautiful, soft shade tree.
Unlike standard Lilly Pillies (which grow straight up and can look quite rigid), Waterhousea features gorgeous, weeping branches with slightly wavy-edged leaves. As a bonus, the new leaf flushes emerge in stunning pink, bronze, and wine tones before turning deep green.
Light: Thrives in full sun to part shade. It will achieve its absolute densest, thickest foliage when grown in a full-sun position.
Soil: Naturally native to Australian rainforest creeks and watercourses, it loves rich, organic, moist soil. It can adapt to clay or loam, but it needs a generous layer of mulch to lock in that ground moisture.
Watering: High moisture needs early on. Because it is a creekbed native, do not let it dry out during its first two summers in the ground. Water deeply 1-2 times a week. Once established, it can handle short dry spells, but it will always look its lushest with consistent moisture.
Feeding: Feed in early spring with a high-quality, slow-release native fertilizer or organic chicken manure pellets to fuel its rapid spring growth spurt.
