Planting to prevent myrtle rust

What is myrtle rust?

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a significant disease for a wide range of species within the Myrtaceae family.

It reduces fruiting and seeding to the point where no new plants are growing, meaning that extinctions in the wild are expected.

Plants that are susceptible to myrtle rust

Lilly pilly is a popular ornamental hedging plant in New Zealand gardens and is native to Australia.

There are three varieties including Syzygium asutrale that while attractive, are highly susceptible to myrtle rust. It also requires regular trimming, increasing the chances of a hedge being infected by contaminated pruning equipment.

Once infected, myrtle rust can then spread to other myrtles nearby, including susceptible New Zealand natives like pōhutukawa, ramarama and rohutu.

Instead of planting lilly pilly, we recommend planting alternative species that have aesthetic and ecological benefits.

Fast-growing hedges that you can plant instead

Consider replacing your lilly pilly hedges with the following alternatives recommended by Auckland Botanical Gardens staff.

Botanic name	Native / non-native	Height
Camellia sasanqua ‘Little Liane’	Non-native	Medium
Camellia sasanqua ‘Paradise Belinda’	Non-native	Medium / tall
Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Helen’	Non-native	Tall
Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’	Non-native	Medium
Camellia transnokoensis hybrid ‘Transpink'	Non-native	Medium
Carpodetus serratus prostrate form	Native	Medium
Coprosma ‘Beatson’s Gold’	Native	Medium
Coprosma tenuicaulis	Native	Medium
Coprosma virescens	Native	Tall
Corokia cotoneaster	Native	Medium / tall
Corokia virgata	Non-native	Medium / tall
Griselinia littoralis	Native	Tall
Hebe ‘Wiri Mist’	Native	Small
Hebe diosmifolia	Native	Medium
Lavandula dentata	Non-native	Medium
Melicytus obovatus	Native	Small / medium
Muehlenbeckia astonii	Native	Medium / tall
Myrsine aquilonia	Native	Small / medium
Pittosporum ‘Little Squirt’	Native	Small
Pittosporum ‘Wrinkle Blue’	Native	Small
Pittosporum crassifolium	Native	Tall
Podocarpus totara	Native	Tall
Teucrium fruticans	Non-native	Medium

Alternative plants not susceptible to myrtle rust

Planting ornamental trees

These plants are of proven excellence in suitable conditions within Auckland:

Aloe barberae – architectural, quite large with age.
Camellia sasanqua upright forms – various flower colours, reliable.
Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ – small vase shaped tree, early spring flowering.
Lagerstroemia subcostata – beautiful bark.
Magnolia ‘Genie’ – small tree, royal purple flowers.

Planting native trees for small gardens

These plants have been recommended by staff at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

They have been selected for gardens with limited space and present no issues with falling leaves or vigorous roots:

Myrsine australis, mapou – small upright dense tree.
Pittosporum cornifolium, tawhirikaro – dense, small tree, glossy foliage.
Pseudopanax ferox, toothed lancewood – tolerates wind, distinctive adult or juvenile foliage.
Rhopalostylis sapida, nikau – single trunk, tolerates sun and wind, handsome.
Sophora chathamica, kowhai – tolerates wind, attractive foliage.
Piper excelsum subsp. excelsum – deep red-brown stems, attractive heart-shaped leaves.

Planting native shrubs to increase diversity and for small gardens

Hebe – (Hebe sp.) a good, robust, reliable performer. Easy to grow, good for smaller gardens, and provides food for insects and butterflies.
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum subsp. excelsum) – small tree, excellent insect and bird food source.
Hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre) – small native tree with small flowers. Fruit attracts small native birds.
Mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus) – a medium-sized tree that can be pruned and is hardy to most soils. Berries are eaten by native birds, including tūī and kereru. It can be pruned to a reasonably upright tree if started early.

Find out more about how you can protect plants from myrtle rust.