Companion Plants for roses

Andrewlees1980 · March 2021

Hi, we've cleared out a flower bed and plan to just leave a single rose bush (Hybrid tea rose) in the middle. We also want to put in two more rose bushes, one either side of the existing rose bush (to replace the smaller shrubs either side in the picture below).

I want to underplant the roses to hide the leggy stems and then put some perennials in the borders. Can anyone recommend any companion plants that will hide the leggy stems, but won't spread and overtake the whole bed? The bed is only 1.4m deep and the rose bush is 0.5m from the fence so there isn't much room.

Any advice is appreciated.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/32/6lgxyyrqtvbe.jpg

B3 · March 2021

Be careful with perennials. I have had some that looked great with the roses but fought them for water and nutrients. The winners had to go!

pitter-patter · March 2021

This might be of help:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2303464#Comment_2303464

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1048172/companion-plants-for-roses/p1

Andrewlees1980 · March 2021

Thanks for the links, I'll take a look. cheers.

WorcesterPark · March 2021

My favourite is the hardy geranium oxonianum...seems to flower all summer

Inglezinho · March 2021

Marigolds. Yes it's a colour clash with some, but you will never have to worry about Aphids.

edhelka · March 2021

1.4mm deep border is actually quite big, it should allow 2-3 rows of plants. If you only want to put three roses there with some perennials, you will be left with a lot of bare ground. If you do dense planting, the roses will get lost in it.
To help with the bare legs of the rose, I think you can prune it to a much lower height than it is now. This should encourage new canes from the base. If you get enough of new canes, get rid of the old woody one completely.
Many perennials look good and do well with roses. I like lavender, gaura, verbena bonariensis, penstemons, foxgloves, lupins, herbaceous clematis, grasses, hardy geraniums and many low-growing edging plants. Many people grow salvias and nepetas with roses. There are really tens or even hundreds of options.
If you want to keep it simple, choose three plants and repeat them in the bed.

SophieK · March 2021

I was also looking into this last night and found these articles:

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/what-to-grow-with-roses/

https://www.thespruce.com/companion-planting-for-roses-1403041
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/growing-plants-under-roses.htm
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/partner-gardens/articles/rose-combinations

JoeX · March 2021

SophieK said:

I was also looking into this last night and found these articles:
https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/what-to-grow-with-roses/

Yeah, geraniums work for me and bulbs, I’m trying lavender this year

Andrewlees1980 · March 2021

Hi, thanks for all the suggestions, I'll see what they have in stock at the gardening centre when I pop up at the weekend.

Companion Plants for roses

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