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Advice on plant selection with roses

kimmmkimmm Posts: 1
edited May 2020 in Garden design
Planning to dig out the huge grass on the left this weekend - (which has been near impossible in previous years)! 

Any ideas for plants to go well in it’s space? It encroaches on the front entrance, so I was thinking a lavender - but had heard salvias are good for black spot on roses, so was debating between the two. Do salvias look quite cottage garden-y, whilst these roses look more formal?  Do salvias have to be literally planted under the roses for there to be benefits?

I have no eye for design! Flowers elsewhere are mostly oranges and yellows -  orange azaleas do well, and there is a purple lilac but that’s only in bloom for a short amount of time.  

Thanks!

Posts

  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    In my opinion, salvias aren't special in any way, regarding blackspot prevention. All companion/groundcover plants can help because they can prevent reintroducing of the disease from the soil surface or fallen diseased leaves.
    With your standards, I would plant whatever you like, as long as it isn't too competing for nutrients and water. Both lavender and salvia would be fine. Nepeta is another option for a similar colour scheme.
    Hard to tell without seeing the rest of the garden but because it is a front garden, I would choose a style somewhere between cottage look and formal. Low lavender hedge as an edging or a couple of box ball (or other evergreens) with nepeta between them would be lovely.
    If you only want to replace the ornamental grass next to the roses, I can't really advise without seeing the rest of the garden but I assume one isolated perennial there (without it being repeated elsewhere or without some style scheme) would look sad there and too small. Although a large lavender could be good.
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