What to Plant with Lilly Pillies: Native Companion Planting Guide

Ever wondered what plants would best complement your lilly pilly? You’re not alone. Horticulturists, landscapers and gardeners have worked out which plants work well with lilly pillies.

This article is all about companion planting with lilly pilly, a native Australian plant that belongs to the genera Syzygium and Waterhousea, as well Acmena which has recently been re-classified into Syzygium.

Understanding Lilly Pilly Varieties (Acmena, Syzygium, Waterhousea)

Lilly pilly plants are a popular choice in many Australian gardens. Known for their glossy leaves, fuzzy flowers and colourful berries, these plants are as attractive as they are hardy.

Hailing from three closely-related genera within the Myrtaceae family, Waterhousea, Acmena and Syzygium species are evergreen plants that tend to thrive in full sun to part shade and prefer well-drained soil. They provide numerous ecological benefits, such as attracting pollinators, feeding fauna with their berries, and offering habitat to wildlife.

They’re often pruned within the landscape as a screen or hedge, or left to express their natural habit as a shrub or tree. Lilly pilly hedges are great for screening and windbreaks, with varieties reaching over 10m

Remember that not all lilly pillies look exactly alike, or perform the same within the landscape. Some varieties have been bred to be more drought tolerant, more prolific with their flowering and fruiting, or to grow in a particular shape, such as columnar varieties which are perfect for small spaces.

Choosing the Right Companions for Lilly Pilly Plants

Choosing the right companions for your lilly pilly can enhance its growth and overall health. Choosing the wrong companion can cause at least one of them to fail to have their needs met.

Consider factors like soil preferences (free-draining and preferably loamy), soil moisture requirements (not too wet), and sunlight requirements (full sun to part shade, providing shade to understory plants).

Grevillea spp. as Winter-Flowering Companions

Grevillea spp., with their stunning flowers and vibrant foliage, make excellent companions for lilly pilly. These plants share similar sunlight and soil requirements. However, being members of the Proteaceae family, grevilleas require a native fertiliser with low phosphorous.

Lilly pillies can usually tolerate low soil fertility, but they don’t mind a regular fertiliser with a balanced NPK ratio.

Ecologically, grevillea spp. serve as valuable resources for pollinators and provide habitat for wildlife. Interestingly, while lilly pilly flowers bloom in the warmer months, grevilleas typically flower during cooler months or even all year round.

This staggered flowering schedule ensures a constant food source for fauna throughout the year, especially when paired with spring-flowering plants like callistemons and autumn-flowering plants like correas.

Eucalypts as Towering Companions

Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora spp. can also pair well with lilly pilly. A towering eucalypt tree can serve as a striking backdrop to the lush lilly pilly hedge, or as a feature within the landscape while lilly pillies serve as a lush screen or border.

Both plants generally prefer full sun and well-drained soil conditions.

In addition to their visual appeal, eucalyptus spp. offer substantial ecological benefits. They attract a variety of wildlife, from insects and birds that feed on their nectar-rich flowers to birds and mammals that make their homes in the hollows of mature trees.

Acacia spp. as Nitrogen-Fixing Companions

Acacia spp. are another excellent companion choice for lilly pilly. Known for their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, they can naturally enhance soil fertility, benefiting surrounding plants.

Acacias also play a significant ecological role. Their flowers and seeds are a food source for various fauna, and their dense growth habit provides valuable habitat. The combination of acacia, eucalyptus, and lilly pilly can create a diverse, vibrant, and ecologically sound garden landscape.

Scaevola spp. as Ground-Covering Companions

Scaevola, also known as the fan flower, is a fantastic ground-covering companion for your lilly pilly. Their sprawling habit and fan-shaped flowers create a pleasing visual effect when planted beneath lilly pillies.

Scaevolas are hardy and versatile, performing well in both full sun and part shade, and tolerating a variety of soil conditions. This makes them an excellent match for lilly pillies, which share similar requirements.

Ecologically, scaevolas are valuable for attracting insects and other pollinators. Their vibrant, fan-shaped flowers are a favourite among bees and butterflies, while their dense foliage offers shelter for small critters.

If planted densely enough, this ground cover can replace mulch.

Native Grasses as Naturalistic Companions

Native grasses such as Poa, Themeda, or Pennisetum, can add a naturalistic touch compared the the hedged forms of a lilly pilly. Their elegant form and subtle colours complement the lush greenery of lilly pillies, creating a beautiful contrast.

Native grasses typically require well-drained soil and full sun to part shade, aligning well with lilly pilly’s needs. They are also hardy and drought-tolerant, making them low-maintenance companions.

Ecologically, native grasses are excellent for supporting biodiversity. They provide food and habitat for a variety of fauna, from insects to birds and mammals, and can help prevent soil erosion.

Kangaroo Paws as Striking Companions

Kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos spp.) with their unique, paw-like flowers and long, strappy leaves, make striking companions for lilly pilly. Their bold colours and shapes provide a wonderful contrast to the dense, rounded foliage of lilly pillies.

Kangaroo paws prefer well-drained soil and full sun, aligning with the lilly pilly’s needs. However, they can be more drought-tolerant, making them a suitable choice for drier areas of the garden.

Ecologically, kangaroo paws are a favourite among nectar-feeding birds, offering a valuable food source. Their tall, slender stems also provide perching sites, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden.

Dianella spp. as Ground-Covering Companions

Dianella, or Australian flax lilies are native to Australia and offer a fantastic ground-covering companion option for your lilly pilly. With their strappy leaf habit, Dianella spp. create an attractive understorey when planted en masse beneath taller shrubs or trees like lilly pillies.

Compact varieties of Dianella spp. work particularly well as ground cover, offering a lush carpet of greenery that contrasts beautifully with the taller lilly pilly. Moreover, they share similar conditions, loving the same well-drained soil as well as the dappled shade provided by the lilly pilly.

Ecologically, Dianella spp. are quite valuable. Their flowers are a favourite among buzz pollinators (like our native blue-banded bees), while their blue or purple berries provide a food source for various fauna such as birds and mammals.

When densely planted, they can also serve as a habitat for smaller wildlife, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden.

Correa spp. as Shrubby Companions for a Lilly Pilly Hedge

Correa spp., commonly known as native fuchsia, are another excellent companion for a lilly pilly hedge. These Australian natives are especially well-suited to coastal gardens, sharing lilly pilly’s tolerance to salty spray.

Correa spp. are often hedge pruned like lilly pillies, providing an alternative colour and leaf texture in your landscape design. Their tubular flowers, ranging from white to pink, orange and red, add a splash of colour during the colder months.

Ecologically, the tubular flowers of Correa spp. are a magnet for nectar-feeding birds just like lilly pillies, keeping these delightful visitors in your garden after the lilly pillies have finished flowering after Summer.

Tips for Successful Companion Planting with Lilly Pilly

Choosing the right companions for your lilly pilly is just the beginning. You’ll also need to know how to plant and care for these companions to ensure they thrive. Here are a few tips:

• Plant in well-drained soil: Like lilly pilly, most of its native companions prefer well-drained soil. Avoid areas prone to waterlogging.
• Provide adequate sunlight: While some shade is acceptable, most of these plants need plenty of sunlight to grow well unless you’re choosing them specifically as understory plants in the lilly pilly’s shade.
• Regular pruning: Plants like correas and lilly pillies benefit from regular pruning to maintain their shape and encourage dense new growth.

Daniel’s Wrap

Choosing the right companions for your lilly pilly can enhance both the health and aesthetics of your garden.

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights into the practice of companion planting with lilly pilly. Now, it’s over to you. Apply what you’ve learned here to your own garden or landscaping project, and watch as your green space transforms into a thriving, biodiverse habitat.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations. Observe what works best in your garden, and don’t hesitate to make adjustments as needed.