A native of the wet tropical rainforests between Townsville and Cooktown, the graceful roly poly satinash is an outstanding ornamental plant. It has glorious weeping foliage highlighted by flushes of red to pink new growth for most of the year. Like most lilly pillies the roly poly satinash makes an excellent hedge or privacy plant, but it can also be left unclipped to develop into a very pretty, small tree.
Plant details
Common name: Roly Poly Satinash
Botanic name: Waterhousea unipunctata
Description: Australian native rainforest tree to about 6 metres (20′) tall. The most attractive feature of the plant is its graceful weeping foliage. The mature leaves are dark glossy green with a wavy edge, and the new growth is a beautiful reddish pink colour. White insignificant flowers appear in summer, followed by clusters of grooved pink to purple pumpkin-shaped fruits covered in a white bloom.
Best climate: The roly poly satinash will grow well in most areas of Australia, with the exception of inland zones.
Best look:
screens, hedges containers rainforest or native gardens foliage contrast plant
Good points:
outstanding foliage excellent privacy plant not as susceptible to insect problems as other lilly pillies interesting pink to purple pumpkin-shaped fruits
Downside:
growth of young plants is very slow
Care:
The roly poly satinash is an adaptable plant that will grow in most situations and soils provided it receives enough water. It will also tolerate light to moderate frosts. Tip prune potted plants regularly to maintain bushiness and encourage flushes of pink new growth.
Getting started:
We filmed our segment at Fairhill Native Plants, Yandina, QLD. Phone: (07) 5446 7088. They have roly poly satinash plants available in 140mm (6″) pots for $5.95.
Alternatively, you may like to try your nearest specialist native plant nursery:
NSW
Annangrove Grevilleas Native Nursery, Kenthurst, NSW. Phone: (02) 9654 1380
Cranebrook Native Nursery, Cranebrook, NSW. Phone: (02) 4777 4256
Sydney Wildflower Nursery West, Marsden Park, NSW. Phone: (02) 9628 4448
Sydney Wildflower Nursery South, Heathcote, NSW. Phone: (02) 9548 2818
QLD
Nielsen’s Native Nursery, Loganholme, QLD. Phone: (07) 3806 1414
VIC
Kuranga Native Nursery, Ringwood, VIC. Phone: (03) 9879 4076
Mt Cassell Native Nursery, Pomonal, VIC. Phone: (03) 5356 6351
SA
Nellie Nursery, Mannum, SA. Phone: (08) 8569 1762
WA
Zanthorrea Nursery, Maida Vale, WA. Phone: (08) 9454 6260
