Plants That Go Well With Roses

Roses grown with companion plants can be pest free.

Gardeners value roses for their blossoms, range of colors and meanings. Roses send messages of love, friendship, fidelity and beauty between loved ones during holidays and special events. Just as roses represent love and companionship, these flowers themselves enjoy certain companion plants. Does this Spark an idea?

Garlic

This aromatic bulb plant not only thrives in the dappled shade provided by taller rose canes, it repels aphids, according to Golden Harvest Organics. Aphids can destroy a rose crop in a matter of weeks. Garlic keeps these little green insects away with its scent and harsh, antiseptic properties. Plant garlic along the perimeter of your rose garden, spacing it about 6 inches from any rose plants. This eliminates feeding competition while still reaping garlic's benefits.

Parsley

According to Golden Harvest Organics, parsley enhances roses' fragrance when planted in small rows between the flowers. Leave 4 inches between the base of each parsley plant and the roses and other parsley plants around it. If planting parsley, do not plant mint in the same area. The two herbs compete and may harm your roses.

Rue

This yellow-flowering herb repels many pests, such as aphids, slugs to Japanese beetles. According to Golden Harvest Organics, it protects roses from most of the insects that may attack them. Plant rue in rows around and between your roses. Space the rue plants about 5 inches from the base of each rose plant to prevent either plant from being overrun by the other.

Chives

Chives are small onions with bulbs about the size of your little fingernail. They sprout tall, green, aromatic grasses. In addition to preventing Japanese beetles, chives may also prevent black spot on your roses according to Golden Harvest Organics. Plant chives around the bases of your rose plants to get the maximum benefit. The scent of your roses should overpower the scent of the chives.

References

• Diane's Seeds: Companion Plants; Diane Linsley
• Golden Harvest Organics: Companion Planting
• Rose Gardening Made Easy: Companion Planting List
• Rose Works: Companion Planting