Companion planting only suggests that some plants can, and should, be planted together to create a beautiful and healthy garden. When picking companion plants for your roses, opt for ones which have the exact same sunlight and water requirements initially, then select beauty.
I have compiled some classic pairings for you as well as some odd ones which you may not have considered. USDA hardiness zones are given for each, but only look for a similar substitution if those falls outside your particular zone.
EPT DESIGN
1. Shrubs and evergreens. Shrubs, trees and evergreens offer construction in the garden, so that there is something to check at during the cooler months, if flowers aren’t as plentiful.
EPT DESIGN
You are able to choose shrubs which have a more shorn and formal hedge appeal, such as boxwood (Buxus spp, zones 5 to 9) and holly (Ilex spp, zones 4 to 9), or loosen up a little with abelia (Abelia spp, zones 6 to 9), viburnum (Viburnum spp, zones 2 to 8) and nandina (Nandina spp, zones 6 to 11).
Shrubs with the identical leaf size and color will appear more formal, even though a variety of shrub and foliage sizes and colors will read as more informal and looser.
Shown: Japaneseboxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica)
Johnsen Pools & Landscapes
2. Ornamental grasses. That is a more sudden pairing, but one which actually works. The more compact leaves of roses along with the pop of their color are striking against the softer, more free-form appearance of ornamental grasses.
Attempt some bigger grasses, in this way maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis, zones 5 to 9) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, zones 5 to 9),or smaller ones, such as Mexican feathergrass (Stipa tenuissima, zones 7 to 10), blue fescue (Festuca glauca, zones 4 to 11) and sedges (Carex spp, zones 4 to 9).
Note: Some blossoms, such as Mexican feathergrass, can be invasive in parts of the U.S. Be sure your plant choices are appropriate and recommended for your region.
Shown: Maiden bud (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’)
Ann Kearsley Design
3. Flowering perennials. An almost infinite number of flowering perennials set nicely with roses. You will want to select different flowers that complement, rather than compete with, your roses, therefore look for perennials with smaller or bigger forms, different leaf types and an assortment of flower colors and shapes.
Margie Grace – Grace Design Associates
Very good options are daylily (Hemerocallis spp, zones 3 to 9), verbena (Verbena spp, zones 5 to 10), bellflower (Campanula spp, zones 5 to 2), delphinium (Delphinium spp, zones 3 to 7), iris (Iris spp, zones 3 to 9) and salvia (Salvia spp, zones 4 to 11).
Arcadia Gardens, LLC
4. Foliage plants. Now don’t get me wrong; lots of foliage plants can also have blossoms. The blossoms may be dramatic, magical or insignificant, but with these kinds of plants, it’s the foliage that actually shines.
Look for alternatives such as hostas (Hosta spp, zones 3 to 9), heuchera (Heuchera spp, zones 4 to 9), lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4 to 9), Persian shield(Strobilanthes dyerianus, zones 9 to 11) and coleus (Solenostemon spp, zones 10 to 11). Their stunning leaf shapes, colors and sizes play off the recognizable kind of roses.
Shown: Hosta spp and hydrangeas
Elements Landscape Inc
Shown: Catmint and New Zealand flax
Edb designs
5. Herbs. I love the combo of raw herbs and roses, and when the blossoms are amazing also, it’s a fantastic pairing simply waiting to happen.
Shown: Lavender and basil
Carolyn Chadwick
Virtually any plant will do provided that the sun and water conditions are similar, but my favorites are lavender (Lavandula spp, zones 5 to 10), yarrow (Achillea millefolium, zones 3 to 10), rue (Ruta graveolens, zones 6 to 11), feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, zones 4 to 9), catmint (Nepeta spp, zones 4 to 2), parsley (Petroselinum crispum, zones 5 to 2) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris, zones 4 to 9).
Shown: Lavender and culture garlic
Urban Oasis
6. Architectural plants. These types of plants have very distinct, strong forms — the perfect foil for classic and lush roses.
Shown: New Zealand flax and pygmy date palm
Crazy but incredible options comprise bamboo (Bambusa spp, zones 5 to 11), palms (Arecaceae spp, zones 1 to 11), agaves (Agave spp, zones 5 to 11), yuccas (Yucca spp, zones 4 to 11) and large, strappy perennials, such as New Zealand flax (Phormium spp, zones 7 to 11).
When mixing roses with more drought-tolerant choices, such as agaves and yuccas, make certain that both kinds of plants can exist with exactly the identical amount of water. Some roses, such as Knock Out roses, are more drought tolerant than you may think, leading to a perfect plant marriage.
Note: When pairing roses with bamboo, make sure you opt for the clumping bamboo varieties as opposed to the runners, or you’ll have an invasive mess in your hands.
Design Focus International
7. Vines and ground covers. If you are utilizing a wide variety of shrub roses which grow from 2 to 6 feet tall or taller, then your eye will naturally gravitate toward the midrange in your garden. And if you let your eye to stop there, then you are passing up a lot of planting chances.
Flowering vines that soar overhead and ground covers that creep round the rose’s foundation are the perfect bookends to your shrub roses’ form.
Vines to consider are passion vine (Passiflora spp, zones 6 to 10), moonflower (Ipomoea alba, zones 9 to 11), sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius, zones 6 to 9), clematis (Clematis spp, zones 4 to 11), wisteria (Wisteria spp, zones 3 to 2) and jasmine (Jasminum spp, zones 6 to 10).
Shown: Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis ‘Alba’)
Stout Design-Build
Fantastic ground covers comprise lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4 to 9), verbena (Verbena spp) and woolly thyme(Thymus pseudolanuginosus, zones 4 to 8).
Shown: Lamb’s ears
More: 6 Captivating Roses for an Alluringly Fragrant Garden
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