Like people, plants are best paired with those who can bring out their best attributes and allow them to share space without a tense stance, not dominating nor stifling when compared. There are various factors to consider when choosing the best companions for your plants, such as aesthetics, conditions for growth, and the health of the plants. Plant companions must appear attractive and have similar requirements for development. Another element of plant companions commonly referred to as natural gardening is choosing companions that deter insects, improve soil, or positively impact the health of plants in various ways.
An excellent resource for this topic can be found in Jackson & Perkins Rose Companions: Growing Annuals Bulbs, Perennials, and Vines with Roses written Written by Stephen Scanniello. 2 Formerly as a curator of roses at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Scanniello provides the most expert tips on how to build beautiful gardens with roses and companion plants, in addition to, as he says within the intro “how to get roses to play well with others.”
Plants That Look Good With Roses
The texture, color, and form are essential to the look of the companion plant. The tall spires of plants complement the large, cup-shaped blooms of roses. Meanwhile, plants and perennials with light green, silver, purple, or leaves enhance the stunning rose blooms. The companion planting can extend the blooming time by adding color to the primary flush roses in the autumn and early summer.
Plants That Solve Problems for Roses
Certain plants seem to be designed to complement one another. The silky pink and purple catmint ( Nepeta) wonderfully contrasts with the pale pink of a rose, and its graceful spires conceal any imperfections that might appear on the rose’s foliage.
While the roses’ tops are beautiful and lush, the bottoms of roses are unbalanced and thin. The best rose companions are those which cover their legs. Traditionally lavender (Lavandula) and catmint (Nepeta), and tall-growing pinks (Dianthus) are all excellent partners.3 The best companions act as living mulches by suppressing weeds and light dirt shading, keeping roses cool and pleasant.
Plants That Enjoy the Same Conditions as Roses
Ideal companions for roses can enjoy similar conditions for growth but don’t compete too much with roses. Roses thrive best in full sunshine with well-drained soil, and their companions should too. The plants aggressively could overwhelm the roses and take up too much nutrients and water in the ground.
Many annuals that love the sun, like heliotropes (Heliotropium) and Lantana (Lantana) verbena (Verbena), as well as million bells of petunia (Calibrachoa), can hold well through the summer months and can fill in the gaps between the roses nicely.3 Each of these has low water requirements and benefits from the hefty diet that roses require.
Plants That Discourage Pests
The best companions are believed to boost one another’s development or shield one another from harm in a specific way. Certain companion plants can help repel pests without chemicals since natural compounds in their flowers, leaves, or roots deter insects.
The onion family includes members including chives, four ornamental alliums as well as edible onions that enhance the fragrance of roses, fight aphids, and help prevent black spots.
Herbs and other plants with aromatic scents are wonderful companions to roses, and they can all be used to help keep Japanese Beetles and aphids away. This includes:
Geraniums that are scented ( Pelargonium)
Rue ( Ruta)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Parsley (Petroselinum)
Thyme (Thymus)
Marigolds (Tagetes)
Culinary Sage ( Salvia)
Anise-hyssop (Agastache)
Russian-sage (Perovskia)
Lavender (Lavandula)
Yarrow ( Achillea)
Oregano ( Origanum)
Catmint (Nepeta)
The tomato plant is believed to stop black spots from occurring. However, few people would choose to mix tomatoes and roses. Lavender and catmint work well in repelling rabbits. Four o’clock ( Mirabilis) and the larkspur ( Consolida) serve as decoys, attracting the love of roses and Japanese beetles to consume the poisonous foliage. Yarrow is a magnet for ladybugs, who can then finish Aphids.
How to Plant Rose Companions
Be sure to plant your rose companions at least one foot away from your roses to ensure you don’t disturb the roots of your roses. 3 Leather gauntlet gloves could be helpful when working on your garden. Kidskin leather that is thorn-resistant is molded to your hands, and the stress points on your fingertips and thumbs are reinforced for long-lasting wear.
Use the correct pruning practices to create a healthy, open framework for roses. Ensure adequate air circulation within your roses to prevent attacks from insects and diseases. If you take maintenance of your roses, you can surround them with various intriguing partners.
