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I have had eight lilly pillies growing in planter boxes for over three years to create a privacy screen on my balcony. Over the past year, I have noticed that many of the lower branches have died off. Having pruned the top of the plant to prevent it from continuing to grow upwards, is there any way I can encourage new branches to form? Would notching help? Would be keen for any advice, thanks!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Doines. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about screening plants.
Can I ask a bit more about your balcony setup, particularly how much direct sunlight the plants are getting each day? Lower branches on Lilly Pillies will often die back if they are not getting enough light, either because the canopy above is shading them out or because the overall position does not get strong sun.
That is probably what is happening here. Unfortunately, once the lower section is shaded, the plant tends to push its energy into higher growth where it can capture more light. Even if you notch or cut back, it is not very reliable for encouraging new buds on older wood. Lilly Pillies, like many trees, do not readily back bud on bare stems.
You could try giving them a harder cut back overall so the lower parts get more light, but even then, there is no guarantee they will push out new growth down low. More often, they will continue to branch out where they already have foliage and access to sunlight.
At this stage, it might be worth thinking about whether they are the right plants for that spot. In some cases, you may be better off starting again with new plants and keeping them trimmed low and dense from the beginning so they maintain screening where you need it.
Alternatively, if it's just that lower portion where you require privacy, perhaps you could consider adding screening over that area to block the view.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
You’re spot on that continuing to prune the tops will help keep the plants denser @Doines, but unfortunately ,it won’t make them re-shoot on those bare lower stems. Lilly Pillies just don’t readily back-bud once the wood has hardened off and lost its foliage. The regular tip-pruning will definitely encourage bushier growth in the top half, though, which will help maximise what little light they’re getting.
Since you’re limited to only a couple of hours of direct sun, companion planting is probably the most practical way to fill that lower gap. You could underplant the Lilly Pillies with smaller, shade-tolerant shrubs or compact screening plants in the same planter boxes. Options that cope well with low light include dwarf Nandina, Lomandra, or even some decorative grasses like Liriope. These will provide greenery and fill out the lower section without competing too heavily.
Mitchell
It's a bit hard to tell from the photo how large the planter is for the Lillypilly and whether it can sustain additional plants @Doines. A few Nandina might be fine, but I wouldn't overcrowd it.
Mitchell
