I would like to underplant my roses to get complete ground cover but I know roses are not keen on that idea. Does anyone have any recommendations? I put some pelegoniums in this year with nepeta but I had to keep cutting it back as the nepeta is so vigorous, a lot of effort when I've not got a lot of time. Something more sedate would be welcome.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
How about erigeron karvianskus (can never spell that correctly). Small white & pink daisy perennial, blooms for a long time, likes sun, self seeds everywhere (eventually) and looks extremely pretty most of the time.
Thank you for that recommendation, I have got some actually, around an old tree stump. Possibly a bit wild for the rosebed I am trying to fill out, but certainly worth thinking about @Lizzie27
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Which nepeta do you have? The smaller varieties are better with roses, I think (like Walker's low, Little Titch, Kit Kat and similar varieties).
I have many plants with roses, it feels like trial and error, I can't say there is a perfect one but having variability helps. Annuals are also useful for their long flowering period and can be planted in gaps as needed.
Second the smaller nepeta, I have one called Purple Haze which is really nice. Stays low and flowers for ages with no effort on my part. @D0rdogne_Damsel Nice sized flowers too.
I had a look on the suggested thread too, so much information, really useful. I'll spend my winter evenings planning from that. Is @malorena not on here anymore? Such lovely photos of roses/flowers.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
@D0rdogne_Damsel, like edhelka, I’m still experimenting with underplanting too, or rather in front of planting, but like short euphorbias (blackbird and polychroma bonfire work well with yellows/oranges), Salvia nemorosa, nepeta and gaura with reds, pinks and whites. I usually leave a clear space all around the rose, to feed, mulch and water more heavily so don’t do ‘ground cover’ as such, more hiding bare legs. I’m also implementing some of Marlorena’s suggestions/inspiration next year, such as Phlox and Parahebe.
Astronomia showing a pretty colour wash effect, still super healthy and vigorous with no sign of blackspot yet:
Another from Pure Poetry, gorgeous colour, shame the blooms droop but maybe it will strengthen over time:
Now, back to Bonica! I’m experiencing much cooler weather now and new blooms showing a more typical colour, so the previous dirty socks blooms must be purely down to dislike of heat. However, its the ‘before’ picture for most of the season so will definitely be moved to a less conspicuous place...
Before:
Now:
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Gosh, what a difference @Nollie, such a shame it took so long to pull it's sock up as it were.
The problem with my little rose patch is that it gets seen from several angles, front, back and sides so just covering the front won't work. I've found some great suggestions on here though.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
...just catching up with all the lovely roses... I've been busy preparing my back garden as I'm having a new 60 foot fence installed next week or week after.. and so much was in the way, it's taking time to clear things.. my Ghislaine de Feligonde had to be cut right down, along with everything else... lots of shrubs removed... so I'll be glad when that's finished..
...as for ground covers.. the late Margery Fish once wrote ''if in doubt plant a Geranium''... and there's none better for the purpose than Geranium 'Russell Prichard'.. as I think the colour goes with most roses, except orange... flowers May to early Oct.. non invasive, graceful and easy to propagate..
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I would like to underplant my roses to get complete ground cover but I know roses are not keen on that idea. Does anyone have any recommendations? I put some pelegoniums in this year with nepeta but I had to keep cutting it back as the nepeta is so vigorous, a lot of effort when I've not got a lot of time. Something more sedate would be welcome.
I had a look on the suggested thread too, so much information, really useful. I'll spend my winter evenings planning from that. Is @malorena not on here anymore? Such lovely photos of roses/flowers.
Astronomia showing a pretty colour wash effect, still super healthy and vigorous with no sign of blackspot yet:
Another from Pure Poetry, gorgeous colour, shame the blooms droop but maybe it will strengthen over time:
Now, back to Bonica! I’m experiencing much cooler weather now and new blooms showing a more typical colour, so the previous dirty socks blooms must be purely down to dislike of heat. However, its the ‘before’ picture for most of the season so will definitely be moved to a less conspicuous place...
Before:
Now:
The problem with my little rose patch is that it gets seen from several angles, front, back and sides so just covering the front won't work. I've found some great suggestions on here though.
...as for ground covers.. the late Margery Fish once wrote ''if in doubt plant a Geranium''... and there's none better for the purpose than Geranium 'Russell Prichard'.. as I think the colour goes with most roses, except orange... flowers May to early Oct.. non invasive, graceful and easy to propagate..