Can Lilly Pilly fruit be eaten?
Lilly Pilly berries can be consumed fresh, out-of-hand, but the fruit’s tart flavour can sometimes be overpowering when raw. The sour notes are balanced when the berries are paired with sweeteners, and the fruits are primarily utilised in Australia in cooked applications, including baking and boiling. Lilly pilly plants can be sensitive to temperature changes: Heat Stress: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause leaf drop. Cold Damage: Unexpected frosts or low temperatures can damage the leaves, leading to their loss.In conclusion, lilly pillies make excellent hedges due to their fast growth, dense foliage, attractive appearance, and many other benefits. With proper care and attention, a lilly pilly hedge can be a cost-effective and beautiful addition to any garden or landscape.Lilly pilly is native to regions with a climate ranging from 50 to 100. F (10 to 38℃), and it prefers this temperature range. In winter, it may need additional heat if the temperature drops below this range.There are around 60-70 species of Lilly Pilly in Australia, all with edible fruits. While they are all edible – they don’t all taste good. Berries are usually about 1-2cm wide and are produced in clusters with most having a seed in the centre.Fertilising & Care If you live in a warm climate and your Lilly Pilly continue to actively grow throughout winter they can be fertilised then too. Large and tall Lilly Pillies that you want to grow into trees generally don’t need pruning as they naturally have a nice shape.
What are the negatives of Lilly Pilly?
However, they do have some downsides, depending on the species and your specific situation: Pests and diseases: Psyllids: These sap-sucking insects are one of the biggest problems for Lilly Pilly’s, particularly the Syzygium australe species and its cultivars. Lilly pilly plants, known for their attractive foliage and vibrant berries, are a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. However, it’s not uncommon for gardeners to encounter issues with leaf loss in these otherwise hardy plants.Australia boasts over 60 different varieties of Lilly Pilly and all fruits appear edible. They range from a small bush to a big tree and are well respected for their spectacular ornamental value and fast growth. Their root systems are generally non-invasive.Lilly Pilly berries have a variable, sweet-tart flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruit’s taste will change, depending on the variety, and some berries can be eaten straight off the tree while others are considered too tart and overpowering when raw.Lilly pillies are tough and can tolerate dry conditions and most well-drained soils, once established. To get the most out of them, consider their origins in the NSW coastal rainforest and keep them well fed and watered. Any fertiliser is fine, or top dress the soil around their roots with aged compost or cow manure.Lilly pilly plants can be sensitive to temperature changes: Heat Stress: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause leaf drop. Cold Damage: Unexpected frosts or low temperatures can damage the leaves, leading to their loss.
What to do with Lilly Pilly berries?
While some varieties are eaten raw, other Lilly Pilly berries are mostly cooked, as their sour notes are balanced when the berries are paired with sweeteners. The berries are used to make jams, jellies, syrups, and chutney, and they are simmered into sauces for roasted meats. Thankfully, lilly pilly species are perfectly safe for dogs. The worst that can happen, if they eat too many of the shed berries, is some gastrointestinal upset (if concerned, please take your dog to a vet) but otherwise, Backyard Bliss is considered non-toxic to dogs.We found this tree near our friend’s house on the street, and so, of course, we got picking. Traditionally, lilli pillies were collected and eaten as a dried fruit throughout the year. These days they’re also made into chutneys, sauces, jellies, jams and anything else that needs spicy sweet berries in it. Like gin.The fruits of the Creek Lilly Pilly (Syzgium australe) are particularly tasty, as are the slightly tarter fruits of the Szygium luehmannii. The fruits can be eaten fresh from the tree, or used to make jams, cordials and sauces.You may have thought to yourself, “Can I eat these? But all varieties of Lilly Pilly Berries are edible. While some are not as palatable as others, most are quite tasty!Lilly Pilly berries have a variable, sweet-tart flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruit’s taste will change, depending on the variety, and some berries can be eaten straight off the tree while others are considered too tart and overpowering when raw.