Hi @rachaelgarden,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.
A good maintenance prune will go a long way toward tidying your lilly pilly and promoting healthy future growth. You can certainly cut it into a topiary shape if you'd like.
To tidy your lily pilly, use sharp, clean hedge shears or an electric hedge trimmer to remove any overgrown or unruly branches, focusing on maintaining a balanced and natural shape. Trim the top and sides evenly, stepping back often to assess your progress and ensure the plant looks neat and symmetrical. Avoid cutting too much at once to reduce stress on the plant.
Thin out dense internal branches to improve airflow and allow sunlight to penetrate, which encourages healthy growth. Light pruning every 6–8 weeks during the growing season helps keep the plant manageable and promotes a compact, attractive form. Always start with small adjustments, as you can trim more if needed.
If you’d like to shape your lily pilly into a topiary, start by envisioning your desired form, such as a ball, cone, or layered tiers. Gradually trim the plant to match the outline of that shape, working carefully to ensure symmetry and balance. Regular maintenance will be needed to preserve the structured look.
Check out How To Prune Trees, How To Grow And Care For A Lilly Pilly and How To Maintain Healthy Lilly Pillies for some further guidance.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
