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Companion planting is one practice you must embrace if you want your garden to bloom and flourish. Talk about pollination and warding off pests, among others.
Dusty miller is a plant that goes well with other plants like creeping phlox. However, you may be bothered about the plants that are best fit for dusty miller aside from the creeping phlox we mentioned earlier.
In that case, we will extensively discuss the best dusty miller companion plants so you will better understand what to plant with dusty miller.
Let’s get started!
Dusty Miller Companion Plants
Dusty miller is a great plant to have in your garden. It grows in full sunlight and needs at least 8 hours of sunlight daily. Although it may survive partial sunlight, it may lose its silvery foliage.
Some plants offer health benefits to dusty miller, while some have aesthetic benefits.
Below are the best dusty miller companion plants.
- Zinna
- Snapdragons
- Begonia
- Hosta
- Creeping Phlox
- Basil
- Bugleweed
- Angelonia
- Petunia
- Spike Speedwell
Let’s quickly examine each plant:
See Also: Chili Pepper Companion Plants
1. Zinna
Zinnias are annuals; they grow fast and bloom heavily. Also, they all produce flowers up to the first hard frost of fall. Zinnia flowers can create a massive and beautiful color in your garden, and they are the best fit for Dusty miller.
Talk about bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem, and Zinnias have them.
These make them great for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies.
Amazingly, Zinnias attract hummingbirds which means more pollinators, and this can also lead to a reduction in whiteflies, which are prey for the hummingbird.
2. Snapdragon
Another good companion plant for dusty miller is the snapdragon. However, snapdragons are perennials. Some people still classify them as annuals considering their short growth and life cycle.
They are made up of a combination of tall flowers and ability to attract pollinators that make them great companions for Dusty miller.
In addition, they can survive in an environment similar to that of the dusty miller (full and partial shade with a moist soil).
3. Begonia
Begonias are also a great plant that can grow with dusty miller. This particular plant has over 1, 000 species and different cultivars. Begonias make a great staple when planted in gardens.
However, they are better off when grown among dusty millers. Though the roots might be another setback, so far, there is enough spacing their roots won’t compete.
Furthermore, Begonias also attract pollinators and some predators (insects) that can help prevent pests such as aphids and mealybugs from harming the garden.
Aesthetically, begonia species with red blooms contrast beautifully with dusty miller’s yellow flowers.
4. Hosta
Hosta, known as Hosta sieboldiana, is an excellent companion plant to the Dusty miller. They are good at attracting pollinators to the garden, contributing to pollination.
Plus, they also attract predators that help get rid of insect pests in your garden. The foliages of Dusty miller and Hosta are good complements for each other. Both plants create a tiered effect.
5. Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox (phlox subulata) is one plant that should not be found wanting in your garden, especially if you have Dusty Miller in your garden.
Creeping phlox is a great weed controller. They also ensure that the soil is prevented from drying too fast, especially during the hot seasons.
In addition, matured phlox often produce purple or pink flowers that match the yellows of dusty miller.
6. Basil
Basil is another good companion plant for Dusty miller. Basils have a good and lovely smell. Yes, its lovely scent is incredible despite not being valued by all.
The scent emitted by Basil helps to repel insects, thereby protecting plants that may be vulnerable and dusty miller. Basil is a great companion for dusty Miller as they can survive in the same environment.
7. Bugleweed
Bugleweed, known as the Ajuga reptans, is a perennial plant that grows very fast. And it looks beautiful and wonderful when paired with a dusty miller.
Both plants strive under the same conditions. Both enjoy the full sun and moist climates. A perfect match that is low and easy to maintain.
In addition, bugleweed produces purple flowers. These colors compliment the silvery foliage of dusty miller.
8. Angelonia
We can not talk about the beautiful plants that suit dusty miller as companion plants without having Angelonia on the list.
Angelonia has delicate flowers and saliva in looks; mainly, it blooms. The dark foliage of this plant perfectly matches with dusty miller silvery foliage.
There are different blooms in Angelonia. The blooms can be pink, purple, or even white though this largely depends on the species.
In addition, this plant grows in the same climate as a dusty miller and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. It also has a lovely flavor.
9. Petunia
Petunia is another plant that is a perfect match for dusty miller. Both plants strive and grow well under the same conditions.
Petunias are easy to grow and maintain. You can rest assured that you will enjoy your plant even when other plants become dormant. Petunias are perfect for aesthetic purposes.
You do not need to worry about choosing colors because this plant offers countless color choices. Also, you may want to add a wave petunia cultivar.
Talking about how tall petunia grows at the maturity stage, it is evident that they grow as tall as four feet when they mature. A fantastic companion for dusty millers if you are looking for a beautiful flower garden.
Though petunia serves aesthetic purposes, they are also suitable for soil retention since they are good ground covers.
10. Spike Speedwell
Spike speedwell is a common name given to Veronica spicata. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that produces beautiful flowers, easy to groom, and is a fantastic companion for dusty millers.
Another striking and similar feature about the two plants is that they can survive under the same climate. Spike speedwell adapts to well-drained and moist soil. Also, it prefers full sun, just like the dusty miller.
The blooms are an excellent fit to be paired with the silvery foliage of dusty miller.
How To Care For Dusty Miller Plants
Dusty miller is a flowering plant that is easy to care for and maintain. Dusty miller can strive almost in every environment and does well in containers.
However, the following will help you care for and maintain your dusty miller;
- Your dusty miller requires full sun to bloom and develop well. At least eight hours of full sunlight is essential. Hence, plant it where it can receive enough sunlight. Aside from that, the dusty miller can also grow in partial shade or sunlight, but the bleeding edge is that its silver foliage may not develop and become intense as expected. The plant will look more green than silvery
- Second, dusty miller prefers to grow in soil that is not too dried or wet. That is, moist soil is suitable for your dusty millers. Avoid excess watering. In addition, these plants are drought-tolerant; you do not need to bother about daily watering
- You can prune the flowers to help them grow new blooms and look more lush and bushy, especially late in the season when most plants have become so dormant
Where Does Dusty Miller Grow Well?
To entirely give a perfect answer to this question, we must first understand that dusty miller strives in full sunlight and moist soil.
Therefore, dusty miller grows well in full sunlight and not too heavily dried or wet soil– well-drained. It can also survive in partial shade, but this will affect the color.
How Far Should Dusty Miller Be Spaced?
For a beautiful and healthy garden, dusty miller should be spaced between 9 to 12 inches.
This helps to avoid competition among the plants. Also, you may consider planting any of the companion plants we listed above between them for more productivity and aesthetics.
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