Backyard Trees – Acmena smithii var. Minor – Small Leaf Lilly Pilly

I have the most gorgeous small backyard tree – small leaf lilly pilly or Acmena smithii va minor.

I used to have a gorgeous (but non native) Poinciana Tree which shaded a lot of the garden & deck area. After many years it developed some rot in the major lower section so it had to be removed. We also used to have a large Red Bean Tree but it was just too large & too close to the house so it too unfortunately had to be removed. In all this time this small tree was just growing & slowing expanding into the spaces left by the other trees removal. It is now a favourite tree of mine.

As you can see I have put my father in law’s garden seat that I restored last year in under it where it is just lovely to sit & watch the garden happenings. It provides such a lovely space in amongst it’s wonderful spreading moss/lichen speckled branches. If you look up at the moment you can catch glimpses of the Jacaranda Tree that is in the nature reserve behind us.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Every year I look forward to this time of year when it flowers. The flowers are tiny, like little stars, but there are masses of them. It is hard to believe this tree was planted as a tube stock from Hugh & Nan Nicholson‘s nursery they had near The Channon NSW. They have published a series of terrific books – Australian Rainforest Plants – that I have used as a resource for years. They now have a Digital Identification Key to help identify plants.

• 

• 

• 

• 

And the leaves have a lovely outline and stem line when the sun shines from above.

But best of all are the bees and insects. They absolutely just spend weeks harvesting this tree and it just wonderful.

And the sound is amazing … if you head over to my Instagram – Lyn Weir you can see some videos of the tree & bees.