What Grows Good With Roses?

Many plants pair well with roses in a garden.

Many plants thrive when paired with roses. Gardeners often focus on plants with either complementary or contrasting flowers. The variety in height exhibited by different roses can also determine which flowers grow well together.

Perennials

Taller rose species grow well next to perennial flowers such as tall trumpet lilies or delphinium. Shorter rose species pair with smaller perennial flowers such as campanulas, lamb's ears or dianthus. Most perennials peak during the summer months when roses show their full blooming potential.

Vines

Clematis, honeysuckle and sweet pea grow well in similar conditions as most roses and provide an alternate shape to an accompanying plant. Allow these vines to grow along the back of a rose garden to create a living backdrop. Many of these flowering vines offer the gardener unique floral scents in addition to their physical beauty.

Herbs

Many herbs act as a natural bug repellent when planted near roses. Onions, chives, leeks and garlic repels aphids and protect against black spot. Rue discourages the presence of Japanese beetles, a common pest in rose gardens.

References

• Spring Valley Roses: Gardening with Roses
• Diane Seeds: Companion Planting for Roses
• Garden Toad: An Organic Gardening Resource

Resources

• Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Rose Garden
• Texas A&M University: Designing the Country Cottage Garden