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How to add screening with Lilly Pillys or some other native folage?

tombot1974
Growing in Experience

How to add screening with Lilly Pillys or some other native folage?

Hi

Im looking at putting Lilly Pillys across the fence or at least close to the deck to help block a bit of rain as well as hide that fence.
The issue is that to get the Lilly Pilly to grow to approx 2-3 meters and thickness (in a pot or planter) I need a deep and wide pot so not to fall over.
Ive attached a picture where I scribbled in red where Id like the Lilly Pilly to go. They can vary in height as I want one closest to house to be higher to block a bit of rain coming in on angle. The rest dont have to be Lilly pillys. Can be some other plants (in pots or planters) to cover it. But The issue is that the distance between the deck and the fence is not large and Im thinking 900mm is the max I have to play with as so any work on deck is not hindered.
Because the house is on a slanting street you can see a retaining wall etc and see Ive had to cut into dirt to make it flat. Plus, Im trying to make sure the deck doesnt sit in wet dirt.

This is the red I used to convey that one tree needs to be higher to block out rain a bit
image1(7).jpeg



Also, the side looks like this with 900mm to the fence

image1(8).jpeg


this is the state of the area

Down the side. Can see the levels outDown the side. Can see the levels outand can see how I had to cut into dirt to leveland can see how I had to cut into dirt to level

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Landscaping advice for Lilly Pillys or some other native folage

Hi @tombot1974,

 

To make the best use of the space and ensure that your Lilly Pillys and other plants thrive, a raised garden bed might be an ideal solution. Since you’re dealing with a sloping street and a retaining wall, it would be practical to incorporate the wall into the design or remove it and use the raised bed itself as a new retaining structure. Constructing the bed from sleepers would allow you to create a solid and attractive retaining wall while providing the necessary depth and width for the plants to grow effectively without being at risk of toppling over.

 

Tiering the bed gives you flexibility with plant heights, allowing the plant nearest the house to be higher, which is useful for blocking rain as you've indicated. It also helps with creating depth for the root systems, allowing for better drainage and healthier plants.

 

In terms of plant selection, Lilly Pillys are excellent for screening and will work well as the primary plant in your raised bed, but you could also mix in other native foliage such as Bottlebrush or Westringia for variety and to fill in the space where you don’t need as much height. Using a mix of natives will create a dynamic, layered look while providing the coverage you need.

 

If you’re concerned about keeping the deck dry and preventing water from pooling, be sure to use adequate drainage in the raised bed to direct water away from the deck. You can achieve this by installing draincoil at the base of the bed and ensuring the bed itself is well-drained, using materials like gravel beneath the soil.

 

This raised garden bed will not only solve the issue of plant stability but also help you manage the levels of your yard while providing a beautiful, natural screen. 

 

I've created a rendering below to illustrate. Here's a helpful step-by-step guide: How to build a raised garden bed.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mitchell

 

 

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tombot1974
Growing in Experience

Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

I can’t decide if I should plant a Lilly Pilly this close to the deck. I want the Lilly pilly to block some of the rain coming in to the side but worried about roots. I hear some Lilly Pillys can grow past 4m. I only have a 1m distance between the fence and the deck and as you can see there is a retaining wall there as well. 
looked at pots and planter boxes as well but that has its own issues with being big enough or deep enough to hold Lilly’s pilly. Any advice? 

this is the deck and fence.

IMG_9248.jpeg

The large red bit is where I’d ideally like the tree to grow and just stop some side rain coming in 

IMG_9240.jpeg

And this is looking over the deck into the 1m width area with retaining wall 

 

IMG_9250.jpeg

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: should i plant a lilly pilly this close to house or put in large pot

Hi @tombot1974,

 

Thank you for your request for advice about planting Lilly Pillies between your deck and side fence.

 

Considering that you have a retaining wall and limited space, it's worth noting that Lilly Pilly roots can be vigorous, especially in confined areas, and may eventually impact nearby structures like retaining walls. Even dwarf varieties, if planted directly in the ground, could exert pressure on the wall over time, especially as they mature.

 

If the Lilly Pilly feels too big, consider other shrubs like Viburnums, which also works well as a hedge in narrow spaces and doesn’t grow as aggressively. Viburnums grow around 2–3m tall and have a dense form that can block rain effectively while being more root-contained. While they do have spreading roots, it’s generally less invasive than Lilly Pillies, especially in narrow spaces. It is less likely to disturb nearby structures as aggressively as other large shrubs.

 

If you go with a container solution like a large pot or a custom planter box, you'll minimize the risk to your retaining wall. This allows you to keep roots contained and prevent them from spreading or causing structural issues. Plus, planters offer flexibility in positioning and can be adjusted if rain-blocking needs change.

 

These Tuscan Path 54cm White Harper Egg Pots look like a nice option for you.

 

Allow me to tag @Noelle, @mich1972 and @Nailbag for their thoughts.

 

Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Jacob

 

Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

Hi @tombot1974 

The available area, in my opinion, is too narrow and too close to structures for planting trees/shrubs that may grow to 4m in height. There are a few lilly pillies that are smaller growing and better suited to a site like yours. As well as Jacob's suggestion of viburnum, you could also consider some of the small to medium height variegated pittosporums which can be grown in narrow beds like yours or in planter troughs and large tubs.

tombot1974
Growing in Experience

Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

IMG_9296.jpeg

Thank for that.. I worked out that I’d probably need a plant and possibly one of the ones you suggested to a height of about 2.7metres. That’s going to be in a pot or planter box as you suggested. So, would a Lilly Pilly go to that height/thickness or better off using the one you suggested that needs less dense roots and perhaps not as deep/wide pot/planter box? 

Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

Hi @tombot1974 I agree with the feedback and recommendations by @JacobZ in particular the choice of using Virburnums. Once established they are fast growing and very easy to manage their height and width. Mine are due for a trim. I have them growing along a fence line in-between Magnolias. 

 

Nailbag

 

IMG_0782.jpegIMG_0783.jpeg

tombot1974
Growing in Experience

Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

And sorry to ask again, those Virburnums, would you put them in planters or a pot knowing how close they are to retaining wall or think they’ll be less aggressive root system? 

ant thank you so much for both your advice. It’s amazing thank you 

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

Hi @tombot1974,

 

Putting them in planters or a raised garden bed similar to the one I suggested would be a great idea. That will prevent their roots from reaching the retaining wall.

 

Mitchell

 

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Re: Can I plant a lilly pilly close to the deck?

Good morning @tombot1974  Everyone has given you great advice and I absolutely agree with them. It’s not worth disrupting the structure of the house and the fence. Look at the tree you have there already, look how the root system is above the ground and how far it has traveled. Good luck, your renovation looks awesome 🌿😀

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