What to Plant with Australian Grasses: Native Companion Planting Guide

Understanding Companion Planting with Native Grass

Companion planting is the art and science of arranging plants together for mutual benefit. It’s a strategy gardeners and horticulturists use to enhance plant health and garden aesthetics.

When done correctly, companion planting can lead to healthier plants, increased yield, improved soil fertility, and natural pest control.

Some plants naturally repel certain pests, providing a biological form of pest control that reduces the need for harmful chemicals. Other plants attract predatory and parasitoid insects which aid in the fight against pest populations.

Most plants form mycorrhizal connections beneath the soil, where healthy fungal organisms source nutrients and moisture for the plants and fight disease. Unless you plant relatively densely and diversely, these beneficial organisms will have a harder job of turning your garden into a “wood wide web.”

On the flip side, poorly chosen plant companions can hinder each other’s growth or even cause at least one plant to perish due to competition for resources or differing plant needs. If one plant hates wet feet and one needs constant moisture, they’re never going to get along very well, are they?

The Needs of Native Australian Grasses

Native Australian grasses have specific needs in terms of sunlight, soil type, and watering. Most prefer full sun or partial shade and well-draining soils, and they tend to be quite drought-tolerant once established. However, each species has unique requirements, so it’s always best to check the plant label or consult a reliable gardening guide.

In terms of aesthetics, the growth habit of these grasses can be either upright or cascading, providing textural and visual diversity in a landscape. When choosing companion plants, consider how they might contrast with or complement these growth habits.

Choosing the Right Companions for Australian Grasses

When selecting companion plants for native Australian grasses, consider the needs of both the grasses and the potential companions. The best companion plants will not only survive in similar conditions but also enhance the garden’s overall aesthetics.

Australia is a vast continent, with a wide range of climates and growing conditions. This diversity is reflected in our native grasses, each having distinct needs and characteristics that enable them to thrive in their specific natural environments.

From the coastal regions to the arid interior, these grasses are uniquely adapted to local conditions, making them an excellent choice for sustainable and water-efficient landscaping.

Here are some general tips for catering to the needs of native grasses:

1.     Sunlight: Most Australian native grasses prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Generally, they need at least six hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth.

2.     Water: Native grasses are generally drought-tolerant once established. However, during the establishment period, regular watering is necessary. Once matured, they can often survive on rainfall alone in most regions, but supplemental watering during extended dry periods can help them maintain their vigour. While there are native grasses that can thrive in flooded conditions, generally we try to avoid wet feet.

3.     Soil: While there are grasses which have adapted to a range of soil types, most prefer well-draining soils. Some grasses, like Yalba™ Imperata cylindrica, can tolerate heavy clay soils, while others, such as most kangaroo grass varieties, tend to prefer sandy or loamy soils.

4.     Fertilisation: Native grasses usually don’t require high levels of fertilisation. In fact, excessive nutrients can lead to rapid, weak growth and reduce their drought tolerance. A slow-release organic fertiliser can be used sparingly if necessary. While many gardeners use “native” fertilisers on all natives, this can be a mistake as many native plants (including many grasses) would prefer a more well-rounded nutrient ratio.

5.     Pruning: Pruning ornamental grasses once a year close to the base removes the build-up of dead material and allows for fresh and vigorous new growth.

Grasses come in two primary forms: clumping and running. Clumping grasses grow in tight, defined clusters, whereas running grasses spread out and cover ground rapidly. Some grasses are short and compact, while others are tall with glorious flower plumes.

These shapes should be considered when choosing companion plants – you can play with rhythm in the garden by planting similarly-shaped non-grasses like native flax and lomandra. Or, you can contrast with differently-shaped plants such as grevilleas, scaevola and pandorea.

It’s a common misconception that grasses don’t support wildlife and pollinators. While they may lack nectar-rich flowers, many insects use grasses as a source of food and shelter. Additionally, their seeds are a vital food source for many birds and small mammals. The dense growth habit of many grasses provides excellent habitat for a range of fauna, from reptiles to amphibians.

Companion plants can supplement these benefits by providing additional resources or attracting different types of wildlife.

Acacia

Acacia, commonly known as wattle, is a diverse genus that includes both trees and shrubs native to Australia and Southern Africa. Their vibrant yellow flowers and fern-like foliage provide a striking contrast to the understated beauty of grasses.

Legumes like acacias fix nitrogen in the soil, making them excellent companions in the garden.

Eucalypts

Eucalypts, or gum trees in the Eucalyptus, Angophora and Corymbia genera, are quintessentially Australian. These trees and mallees thrive in the same conditions as many native grasses, making them a natural choice for a companion plant.

Their tall stature, attractive bark, and aromatic leaves add a tall layer of interest to a grass-dominated garden. While grasses excel at stabilising the upper soil layers with their fibrous roots, some eucalypts have deep roots that stabilise the deeper layers of soil.

Melaleucas

Melaleucas, also known as paperbarks, are known for their distinctive, peeling bark and fluffy white or cream flowers. The contrasting textures of Melaleucas and grasses can create a visually appealing landscape.

Callistemons (Bottlebrushes)

Callistemons are renowned for their vibrant, brush-like flowers that can add a pop of colour to a native grass garden. They’re hardy plants that can thrive in various conditions, making them an excellent choice as a companion for Australian grasses.

Grevilleas

The smaller-flowered shrubby varieties of Grevillea rosmarinifolia can provide an authentic cottage look when paired with native grasses, while prostrate varieties can form a ground-covering companion that works better than mulch.

These plants have proteoid roots that help them survive in nutrient-poor soils, a trait shared by many Australian grasses. Just be aware that Proteaceae family members like grevilleas and banksias can’t take an all-round fertiliser. They need a “native” fertiliser which is low in phosphorous.

Westringia (Native Rosemary)

This bushy shrub has grey-green foliage that works aesthetically with many native grasses. Their small flowers can create a subtle contrast with the bold forms of grasses.

They generally prefer well-drained soils, but Ozbreed have bred a couple of varieties that can withstand consistent flooding and heavier soils. See our research here.

Lomandra

Lomandra species have a strappy growth habit similar to true grasses, which can create a harmonious look in a garden. They’re also quite hardy, making them a good choice for a low-maintenance landscape.

Lomandra flowers are favoured by pollinating beetles and their seeds are a food source for native ants, which is similar to the insects that favour grasses.

These players within the ecosystem don’t receive the same good press as charismatic beneficial insects like blue-banded bees and ladybirds, but they’re every bit as important for preventing biodiversity collapse.

Strappy plants like grasses, lomandras, dianellas and kangaroo paws all provide a wealth of habitat for fauna including birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians and more.

Dianella

Often known as flax lilies, Dianella species have strappy leaves similar to grasses but offer striking blue or purple flowers and berries.

These berries support a wide range of fauna, and their flowers attract buzz pollinators like our beautiful native blue-banded bee which vibrates at a certain frequency to unlock pollen.

Kangaroo Paws

Kangaroo paws are known for their tall, vibrant flowers that emerge from strappy foliage, not unlike a grass to the untrained eye. During spring and summer, their blooms will attract native birds, mammals and insects alike. Some varieties can even flower for most of the year.

Sometimes you need a pop of colour in a grassy garden, and kangaroo paws are one of the best ways to get some vibrant pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple tones splashed around.

Correa

Correa species, with their bell-shaped flowers, provide another contrast to the vertical lines of grasses. Their branches are habitat to a range of fauna, similar to other shrubby plants like westringias, callistemons and lilly pillies.

Just like those plants, correas are a favourite among nectar-feeding birds and insects, adding another element of wildlife attraction to your garden.

Pandorea (Wonga Wonga Vine)

Pandorea is a climbing plant that can add height and interest to a native grass garden. It’s an excellent choice for vertical spaces and can create a beautiful backdrop for a grass-dominated landscape.

Lilly Pilly

Lilly pillies, which include plants in the  Syzygium, Acmena, and Waterhousea genera, are versatile plants that range from small shrubs to large trees. Their glossy leaves, colourful berries, and fluffy flowers can provide a striking contrast to the understated beauty of grasses.

Use them as a feature tree, planting as mass screening, shelterbelts, to define boundaries, or as topiary – these are some of the most versatile plants within a native garden.

Brachyscome (Swan River Daisy)

These low-growing plants have daisy-like flowers that pair well with the upright habit of many grasses. They can add a touch of softness and colour to a garden with native grasses, including native cottage and contemporary modern garden design styles.

Chrysocephalum

Chrysocephalum species are known for their vibrant small yellow flowers and silver foliage. They can provide a bright contrast to the green hues of native grasses. Planting a mix of ground covers, including brachyscome, chrysocephalum and scaevola, can be a wonderful carpet to cover the ground beneath native grasses.

Scaevola (Fan Flower)

Scaevola, commonly referred to as the fan flower due to its distinctive fan-shaped flowers, is a popular choice for Australian native gardens. These plants provide a carpet of green foliage and white, pink, blue or purple flowers, giving us a lovely contrast to the more linear forms and uniform colours of grasses.

One of the standout features of Scaevola is its self-cleaning flowers. This means the spent blooms drop off naturally, eliminating the need for deadheading and making this plant a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.

Daniel’s Wrap

In this article, we’ve explored some of the best companion plants for Australian native grasses, understanding their needs, conditions, and benefits they bring to the ecology.

These plants contribute to your garden’s biodiversity by providing habitat and food for a range of fauna. They can also help each other keep pests at bay, and provide visual interest without compromising plant health.