What to Plant Around Crepe Myrtle: Top Companion Plants for Australian Gardens

Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica and hybrids) are a staple in Australian landscapes, beloved for their long summer blooms, attractive bark and compact form. But to elevate your garden, consider companion planting. Knowing what to plant around crepe myrtle creates layered designs that suppress weeds, enhance colour contrasts and improve overall health. In Australia’s diverse climates—from subtropical Queensland to temperate Victoria—the right underplantings provide year-round interest while matching the tree’s needs: full sun, well-drained soil and moderate water.

This guide focuses on practical, low-maintenance options suited to Aussie conditions. We’ll cover design principles, top plant picks by category and regional tips to avoid common pitfalls like root competition or excessive shade.

Why Companion Plant Around Crepe Myrtles?

Crepe myrtles grow 3–10 metres tall depending on the variety, with a spreading canopy that leaves lower trunks exposed. Underplanting offers multiple benefits:

• Weed suppression: Dense groundcovers block light to stop invasives like oxalis.
• Soil protection: Mulch-retaining plants reduce erosion and retain moisture.
• Visual appeal: Foliage and flowers extend the display beyond the tree’s 2–3 month bloom period (December to March in most areas).
• Pest deterrence: Diverse plantings confuse aphids and mildew spores, common crepe myrtle foes.
• Microclimate moderation: Low plants cool roots in hot summers.

Avoid tall shrubs or trees that compete for water and light. Crepe myrtles dislike ‘wet feet’, so steer clear of thirsty companions in clay soils.

Key Principles for Selecting Companions

Match the Conditions

Crepe myrtles demand 6+ hours of sun daily and neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–7). Choose drought-tolerant plants once established, as irrigation tapers after the first 1–2 years.

Scale Appropriately

Opt for plants under 1 metre to avoid crowding the trunk. Plant 30–50 cm from the base to allow air circulation, reducing powdery mildew risk.

Colour Harmony

Pair with blooms that contrast crepe myrtle’s pinks, purples, reds and whites:

• Cool blues/whites for pinks/reds.
• Hot oranges/yellows for purples.
• Silvers/greens for all.

Layering Strategy

• Base layer: Groundcovers (10–20 cm).
• Mid layer: Perennials/shrubs (30–80 cm).
• Accent: Grasses or bulbs for height variation.

Prepare soil by forking in compost and gypsum (for heavy soils), then mulch 5–7 cm deep with pine bark or sugar cane.

Best Groundcovers for Crepe Myrtles

These carpeting plants thrive in dappled shade under the canopy edges.

• Dichondra repens (kidney weed): Native, lime-green mat tolerates dry shade. Grows 5 cm high, spreads 50 cm. Ideal for Sydney’s humid summers. Trim if leggy.
• Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus): Strappy, 20 cm tufts. Black varieties add drama under white-flowered crepes. Handles frosts to -5°C.
• Brachyscome multifida (cut-leaf daisy): Native daisy with mauve flowers year-round. 15 cm high, drought-hardy for arid zones like Adelaide.
• Lippia (Phyla nodiflora): Tough, minty groundcover for traffic areas. Yellow flowers complement red crepes, but invasive—use edging.

Plant 20 cm apart for quick coverage in 6–12 months.

Perennials and Sub-Shrubs

Add season-spanning colour with these sun-lovers.

• Salvia species (e.g., S. greggii, S. microphylla): Spikes of red, pink or blue from spring to autumn. 60 cm high, attracts bees. Perfect for Brisbane’s heat (to 40°C).
• Gaura lindheimeri: Airy white/pink wands dance in breeze, 80 cm. Drought-tolerant, self-seeds mildly. Suits Melbourne’s cooler winters.
• Coreopsis verticillata: Threadleaf foliage with golden daisies. 50 cm, blooms non-stop in full sun. Low water for Perth gardens.
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Silver-grey mounds, purple spikes. Fragrant pest-repellent. Trim post-bloom; frost-hardy to -10°C.

Native Perennials

• Dianella tasmanica: Blue berries, strappy leaves to 60 cm. Shade-tolerant base for tropical crepes in Cairns.
• Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos hybrids): Vibrant reds/oranges, 1 m. For sandy WA soils; protect from wet summers.

Ornamental Grasses and Straps

Textural anchors that sway with crepe myrtle branches.

• Lomandra longifolia (‘Tanika’): Native, fine lime foliage to 50 cm. Ultra-tough, no mow needed. Thrives coast to inland.
• Dianella caerulea: Similar to tasmanica but more floral. Purple berries for birds.
• Fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’): Blue-grey clumps, 30 cm. Cool contrast for hot climates.

Bulbs and Seasonal Accents

For pops of colour without permanence.

• Babiana stricta: Iris-like, spring blue/purple spikes. 30 cm, dry summers fine.
• Watsonia hybrids: Sword-like leaves, red/orange summer spikes to 1 m. Plant en masse under white crepes.
• Cyclamen persicum: Winter colour in cooler spots (Melbourne hills). 20 cm, dormant summer.

Avoid daffodils—they need wetter conditions.

Shrubs for Larger Plantings

For massed underplantings around mature trees (5+ m spacing).

• Westringia fruticosa (‘Zig Zag’): Native coastal shrub, white flowers, 1 m. Wind/drought/salt tolerant.
• Grevillea ‘Superbina’ series: Low groundcover grevilleas, pink/red brushes. Honeyeaters love them.
• Callistemon (‘Little John’): Dwarf bottlebrush, red brushes, 1 m. For humid QLD/NSW.

Regional Recommendations for Australia

Subtropical (QLD, northern NSW)

High humidity, wet summers: Focus on mildew-resistant natives like Lomandra, Dianella and saltbush (Einadia hastata). Avoid heavy feeders.

Temperate (Sydney to Melbourne)

Frosts to -5°C: Salvias, lavender and mondo grass. Mulch heavily for root warmth.

Arid/Mediterranean (Adelaide, Perth)

Dry heat: Brachyscome, coreopsis and kangaroo paws. Drip irrigate first summer (10 L/week/tree).

Tropical (NT, Far North QLD)

Monsoonal: Heat-loving gaura, lippia. Elevate beds for drainage.

Design Ideas and Planting Plans

Monochrome Magic

Under purple ‘Natchez’ crepe: Lavender, white gaura, silver fescue.

Hot Borders

Red ‘Sioux’ with salvia ‘Hot Lips’, kangaroo paw, lomandra.

Native Patch

Around ‘Acoma’ white: Westringia, dianella, brachyscome—for low-water appeal.

Sample Plan for 4 x 4 m Bed (under semi-dwarf crepe):

• Centre: Crepe myrtle.
• Inner ring: 5 x Salvia greggii.
• Mid: 7 x Lomandra ‘Tanika’.
• Edge: Dichondra carpet.

Cost: ~$150 for tubestock.

Maintenance Tips

• Watering: Deep soak new plants weekly first summer (20 L/m²), then drought as per tree.
• Fertilising: Low-phosphorus native mix in spring (e.g., 10 g/m²).
• Pruning: Tip-prune perennials post-bloom; never hedge crepe myrtles.
• Pests: Ladybirds control aphids; neem oil for scale.
• Mulch Refresh: Annually to 5 cm, keeping off trunks.

Monitor for suckers at crepe base—remove promptly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planting too close: Leads to rot.
• Overwatering: Yellow leaves signal soggy roots.
• Shade-lovers: They flop in sun gaps.
• Invasive spreaders: Contain lippia with barriers.

With thoughtful companions, your crepe myrtle becomes a garden centrepiece. Experiment in small zones first—Australian soils vary wildly! For varieties, check local nurseries like Plantmark or AusGAP.

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