What Does Leucadendron 'Ebony' Look Good With?

What looks good with Leucadendron 'Ebony'?  I saw 'Pacific Sunset' Coprosma at the garden center the other day, and bought it, thinking it would be a perfect companion.  Well, maybe not.  'Ebony's red is a cool red, I decided, while 'Pacific Sunset's red is a warm red. I like the glossy with the fuzzy, though. The Coprosma looks like melted Legos.
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The magenta flowers of Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' agree with the burgundy of 'Ebony' stems, but do not match.
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The cool blue-green of Calandrinia spectabile foliage shape is so similar to the Leucadendron, they make an interesting pair. 
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True pale blue (Echeveria 'Imbricata') might be too much of a contrast.  The Echeveria's burgundy leaf tips match well, though.
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Graptoveria 'Fred Ives' with its magical array of colors seems better suited.
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'Fred' is so a gorgeous plant, it looks good with anything.
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How about the silver-with-olive-green-undertones of Santolina?  The Leucadendon foliage has subtle hints of olive green...
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Meh. 

Old reliable 'Rozanne', surprisingly, has the same burgundy color in its curly stamens as the Leucadendron stems, but needs different growing conditions--more water and less harsh sun.  Never mind.
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'Rozanne' is having a fabulous October, by the way.
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So is 'Princess Alexandra Of Kent', which opens a warm coral pink and changes to a cool medium pink.  But I digress.
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It occurred to me that the bronze-blue mix of the Dianella 'Utopia' foliage would act as a buffering link between the blue of the Agave 'Dragon Toes' and the Leucadendron. Straight pale blue and straight dark feels too contrasty, but a buffer softens that contrast.  A pale blue Agave with more burgundy teeth and spines might be even better.  What do you think?   
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Comments

  1. I like Fred. The Echevaria 'Imbricata' works for me too. I really like that shiny Coprosma too, but not as an 'Ebony' companion.

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  2. I've been wondering the same thing. I put my 'Ebony' in my dry garden near Leucadendron salignum 'Chief' because the area was open, sunny, and the 2 plants appeared to have similar stem color but they don't do much for one another. Geranium incanum, a weed in my garden, has planted itself nearby - it doesn't look too bad so I'm letting the Geranium stay for now, I thought Grevillea lavandulcea 'Penola' might make a good companion but I'm waiting for it to bloom before I consider moving 'Ebony.' In general, I think gray plant like the agave you show in your last picture may be the best choice. Of course, 'Ebony' looked great with the red rose you showed with it earlier in the week but the cultural requirements are an issue (unless one was in a pot?). I'll be interested to see what you do.

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  3. Fred. I like the contrast at the bottom too.

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  4. Dudleya brittonii, Echeveria perl von numberg, coleonema sunset gold, lavendula Hidcote giant

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