Dusty Miller looks as if snowflakes were to grow as a plant. This Mediterranean perennial subshrub is adored due to its silver foliage, which gives off winter wonderland vibes.
But you can elevate that even more with the help of companion planting. Some use companion plants to provide support for their main crop, and some use them purely on an aesthetic basis.
For dusty millers, it is the latter one. The plant is pretty low-maintenance and grows well with any plant with similar habitat. Petunias, bugleweed, and creeping phlox are some of the most preferred dusty miller companion plants, as their cool undertones complement the silver plant.
However, some other visually striking companion plants are also mentioned later in the list. So, without wasting more time, let’s check them all!
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Problems Faced By Dusty Millers
Since its yellow flowers attract pollinators and the plant itself deters herbivores, it is a great addition to one’s garden. Still, you can’t expect it to be indestructible. There are some issues that dusty millers face, which can be managed easily with some external help.
Let’s take a look at them.
1. Wrinkled Leaves
You can find your dusty miller foliage starting to wrinkle, curl, or become discolored. This happens due to the attack of aphids, which is a common garden pest.
To avoid that, you can sprinkle pesticides from time to time. However, too much of that can have adverse effects on your plant. So instead, you can plant some companion plants near it that naturally repel or deter these unwanted guests.
2. White Powder On Leaves
Despite the foliage being whitish in color, you’ll be able to figure it out when some unnatural white powder starts accumulating on them. If you notice some white powdery patches building up on the leaves and stem of your plant, it will most certainly be powdery mildew.
If your plant has already caught it, you can spray some fungicide to prevent further damage. But if you want to take precautions, planting companion plants with antifungal properties can help a lot.
3. Deformed Plants
If you notice severe deformities in your plants, it is aster yellow. It is a phytoplasma disease and, unfortunately, incurable. The only way out is to remove the plant as soon as possible before it spreads more.
Best Dusty Miller Companion Plant
Now that you know that two of the major issues dusty miller face can be managed with the help of companion plants, let’s look at what they are.
1. Lemon Balm
This lemony herb can be a boon in your garden. Its strong fragrance can easily deter aphids from your garden, so it is often paired with cantaloupes, which attract this pest very much. Lemon balm is a cold-hardy perennial; thus, it can be a good companion for your dusty millers during the frosty seasons.
The plant can take full sun or partial shade and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Lemon balm belongs to the mint family and, hence has a tendency to grow faster. So to avoid interrupting the growth of your main plant, you can plant it in a separate, large pot filled with soil-based compost.
Spring is the best time to plant them, as they can grow fully before the next frost hits.
2. Lavender
With the same Mediterranean origins, lavender makes the perfect protection plant for your dusty millers. You may find its smell soothing and calming, but the pests don’t.
Those purple bloom sticks are great at repelling common garden pests, including aphids. It also keeps the surrounding area of your home free from mosquitoes, fleas, flies, ticks, and moths.
But that doesn’t mean it’s going to repel all the good insects too. You will always find bees buzzing around lavender blooms, which can act as a great pollinator for your garden.
Similar to dusty millers, lavenders also need full sun and well-drained sandy soil to thrive in the hot summer climate. Early springs are the best time to plant a lavender plant, and you can expect the blooms in late summer or early fall.
3. Yarrow
If you can’t get rid of the aphids, introduce insects to help eat them up. How? With the aid of Yarrow. Yarrow is a plant that attracts many helpful insects, making it a gardener’s favorite. Yarrow is a plant known for attracting many beneficial insects, which is why it is a gardener’s favorite.
From pollinating bees to aphid-eating insects, yarrow attracts all sorts of insects that will help your garden’s flora thrive. It is a match made in heaven, as yarrow also requires a hot and dry climate with well-drained loamy soil, like dusty millers.
Its blue-ish green or grey-ish silver (depending on the species) foliage nicely blends with dusty miller’s, while the flowers add a good pop of color. Sow the seeds during early summer when the winter chills are completely gone and garden beds are warm.
4. Marigold
If you want to add warmth to your garden, plant marigolds. But they aren’t on the list just for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ability to repel harmful pests and insects.
Those yellow, red, and orange-hued flowers diffuse a strong scent that masks the original scent of your plant and confuses the pests. Hence, they never reach it.
The plant also pairs well with a wide variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Some of the plants present in this include salvia, lavender, and kale. They are sun-loving plants, but some of marigold’s variants are very drought-tolerant (i.e., African and signet marigolds) and can withstand hot summers.
5. Salvia
Perennial salvia, aka sage, is a gorgeous dusty miller companion plant you can pick for your yard. They come in shades of blue, purple, red, pink, and white, so pick whichever you want based on your garden’s color scheme.
You can plant this fragrant herb during the cool days of spring or fall and expect it to germinate in about three weeks. You can do this part in separate pots and move the seedlings into the prepared soil.
6. Black-Eyed Susan
If you want a drought-tolerant flowering plant to uplift the look of your yard, black-eyed Susan will be a good pick. Its sunny yellow flower will create a great contrast with the silver of dusty millers, but the black center will bind it all together.
As much as they catch your eye, they also attract various pollinators. Meaning that, along with enhancing the look of your garden, it’ll also improve its health.
7. Coneflowers
You can call Coneflowers the cousin of black-eyed Susan. Both belong to the sunflower family and have a similar look, just different colors.
While black-eyed Susan will give off bright sunny vibes, coneflower’s pink and purple tones will give calming and romantic effects. Being part of the same family, their benefits are similar.
Like most flowers on this list, spring is the best time to plant them. But if you’ve missed the season, you can also grow them during the early falls. Just make sure they get at least six weeks before the frost.
8. Sedum
Belonging to the crassulacean family, sedum is a stonecrop that does very well in a well-drained and sunny location. Just how dusty millers like.
It is amazing how this perennial has succulent-like foliage and produces a bunch of star-shaped flowers. But don’t go by the look of their fleshy leaves, as they are very hardy and can tolerate some of the most arid conditions.
There are over 600 species of them that come in different colors, foliage, and size. So variety is not a problem! You can use them for edging or bordering, or grow as the centerpiece and surround them with dusty millers.
9. Lamb’s Ear
Both dusty miller and lamb’s ear are silver-leafed plants, making them visually appealing. The furry foliage of lamb’s ear adds a layer of shine and texture to the matt frosted leaves of dusty miller.
You can grow them together due to their similar environmental needs. They are heat tolerant, drought resistant, and can survive hot and arid temperatures.
If you plant them together, you will have a chic monochrome-themed garden with low maintenance and easy care.
10. Ornamental Kale
You can plant ornamental kale and dusty miller together to create a unique contrasting look. Their foliage looks wildly different, yet their crinkled texture creates a harmonious blend.
As they both grow well in full sunlight and properly water-drained soil, it is easy to take care of them while having a beautiful garden.
Worst Companion Plants For Dusty Miller
There are certain types of plants that can clash with the requirements of your dusty miller and hence stunt its growth. Below are such categories of plants you should avoid pairing with your dusty lady.
1. Plants That Grow In Damp Conditions
So far, it is well understood that dusty millers are drought-tolerant plants that thrive in Mediterranean conditions. The soil has to be well drained and loamy, and it is evident that dusty millers and plants that grow in damp conditions are poles apart.
Having damp and waterlogged soil can cause root rot in dusty millers. So for the betterment of both the types, it is better to keep them apart. Examples of such plants include cardinal flowers, marsh marigolds, and Joe Pye weed.
2. Plants That Attract Too Many Pests
Dusty miller itself does not attract many pests and insects but is prone to the attack of aphids. In that case, it is better to avoid planting such plants that also attract aphids and other infectious pests.
Examples of such plants would be sweet alyssums, cosmos, etc.
3. Plants That Require Heavy Use Of Fertilizers
Pairing dusty millers with plants that need constant applications of fertilizers can stunt their growth.
Dusty millers do not require fertilizers at all. In fact, they do better with soil compost and well-aged herbivore manure.
So avoid pairing them with plants like roses, tomatoes, peppers, corn, etc., which are heavy feeders of fertilizers.
4. Plants With Invasive Nature
Mint, English ivy, or bamboo are some of the plants that grow rapidly and tend to take up as much space as possible. They can overcrowd your yard, leaving no space, nutrients, or water for your dusty millers to grow.
It’s Time For Your Silver Dust To Shine!
The key is to pair the right companion plant with your silver beauties to pick the ones with similar habitats. While most dusty miller species do not need much love and care, growing supportive companion plants can increase their shine and longevity.