Grevilleas, with their vibrant, spider-like flowers and often fine, needle-like foliage, bring a uniquely Australian flair to the US landscape. To create a thriving and visually harmonious garden, selecting companion plants that share their cultural preferences and ecological needs is key. The ideal companions will thrive in full sun, tolerate well-drained, often slightly acidic soils, and generally require low to moderate water once established.
Grevilleas often possess fine or dissected leaves. Pairing them with plants that have bold, contrasting foliage creates dramatic textural interest. Ornamental grasses are excellent for this purpose. The flowing, arching forms of Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) or the rustling vertical presence of Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) provide a soft, moving counterpoint to the Grevillea's structure. Similarly, succulents with their bold, architectural forms offer a striking contrast. The rosettes of Agave or the vertical spears of Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio mandraliscae) create a modern, drought-tolerant pairing that highlights the unique foliage of both plant types.
While Grevilleas can bloom almost year-round in mild climates, pairing them with other flowering plants ensures a continuous display of color. For a hot, dry garden, you cannot go wrong with other Australian natives. Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos spp.) offer tall, fuzzy flowers in red, yellow, and orange that harmonize beautifully with Grevillea blooms. Westringia (Coastal Rosemary), with its small, grey-green leaves and constant display of tiny mauve or white flowers, acts as a superb filler and floral supplement. Beyond Australian natives, the silvery foliage and purple spikes of Lavender (Lavandula) or the vibrant, long-lasting daisy flowers of Gazania provide complementary colors and thrive in similar sunny, well-drained conditions.
Using low-growing plants around the base of Grevilleas serves multiple purposes. They suppress weeds, help keep the root zone cool, and prevent soil erosion, all while adding another layer to the garden's design. Prostrate Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus') spills over walls or spreads as a fragrant, woody groundcover. For a flowering carpet, Dwarf Mat Rush (Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze') provides tidy, tussock-forming foliage, while various Thyme (Thymus spp.) cultivars create a dense, scented mat that can tolerate light foot traffic. These plants coexist without competing aggressively with the Grevillea's shallow root system.
To anchor a planting bed featuring Grevilleas, consider adding plants with strong architectural forms. The dramatic, sword-like leaves and towering flower spikes of Yucca provide a stunning vertical element. For a softer, yet equally structural presence, the New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) offers bold, strappy leaves in colors ranging from bronze to vibrant pink and yellow. These larger structural plants act as focal points, around which the more informal shapes of flowering Grevilleas and their other companions can be arranged, creating a balanced and cohesive landscape design.
