Arguably one of the most well-known flowers, roses are fragrant and versatile plants that come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Although they are sometimes referred to as little divas who canât share a stage, these shrubs can greatly benefit from the right company. After all, even the star of the show needs its sidekicks.
Companion planting is an ancient practice that greatly boosts diversity and plant health. It is just what it seems: finding the best neighbors for your plants. So, to finally break the myth, here are some of the best rose companion plants to fill your garden.
How Do Roses Interact with Other Plants?
Roses are heavy feeders and like having their roots left alone, without other plants competing. They can steal resources from their surrounding plants but can also be left depleted if other aggressive species accompany them.
Despite needing space to develop properly, especially when Roses are young and are only getting established, they can also benefit greatly from having the right plants to ward off pests and diseases.
Benefits of Companion Planting with Roses
To be more precise, good companion plants are often capable of:
- Protecting roses from pests of all sorts, like aphids, beetles, or spider mites. They also repel rabbits and deer;
- Reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal diseases like blackspot and powdery mildew;
- Complementing and enhancing the vibrancy and fragrance of blooms.
- Acting as grown covers and mulches to improve soil health and retain moisture.
What Grows Well with Roses
Contrary to popular belief, many plants can grow with roses. From flowering plants and herbs to vegetables, all sorts of companions can be chosen as long as they require similar conditions and donât compete for nutrients with your shrubs.
Best Companion Plants for Roses by Categories
Okay, now the impossibly tough part is choosing from infinite possibilities what goes with roses. Fear not; weâre here to help by providing a few examples to make this task less daunting.
Flowers
If you arenât sure what flowers go with roses, check the list below. These species form similarities in growth habits and create a complex and beautiful mix of colors and textures.
Summer-snapdragons (Angelonia spp.)
Zones: 9-11
These pretty plants have similar growing requirements and can hold up through the summer with modest watering, making them a great companion plant for roses.
Benefits: aesthetically appealing.
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Zones: 2-11
Besides their aesthetic appeal, these medium orange or red flowers also offer protection against pests like nematodes and encourage roses to grow.
Benefits: deters pests.
Four-oâclocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
Zones: 9-11
This ornamental shrub, with vibrant and colorful flowers, is often used as a shield to protect roses since their flowers attract Japanese beetles. Besides driving attention away, their poisonous flowers deter pests right after consumption.
Benefits: acts as a shield for pests.
Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
Zones: 3-9
When planted nearby, these pretty flowering plants will enhance soil health and can attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs, which feed on aphids and other pests.
Benefits: attracts beneficial insects and improves soil.
Foxgloves (Digitalis spp.)
Zones: 4-10
This plant produces unique flowers in many colors that are an interesting, complementary visual asset to your rose garden. Theyâre tall and have a complex and aesthetic mix of textures and colors.
Benefits: aesthetically appealing.
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Zones: 5-9
These honey-scented flowers will bloom from spring to the first hard frost, which makes them a great complement to your roses when they are and arenât in bloom. They come in soft shades of many colors and make a flowery carpet around your bushes.
Benefits: aesthetically interesting and act as living mulch.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Zones: 9-11
These flowers can be grown as perennials or annuals. They are easy to care for and produce vibrant flowers in warm shades like red, orange, and yellow. They make great rose companion flower.
Benefits: aesthetically appealing.
Giant Hyssop (Agastache spp.)
Zones: 5-10
These gorgeous wildflowers, with colorful flower spikes, have a delightful anise-like fragrance that attracts pollinators and deters pests and deer.
Benefits: attracts pollinators and deters pests.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Zones: 5-8
This medicinal plant exudes a strong citrusy scent that repels pests. It blooms in white flowers that shine in sunlight around your roses and typically goes best with climbing or tall varieties.
Benefits: deters pests.
Violets (Viola spp.)
Zones: 1-10
These well-known flowering plants come in many color combinations and are perfect ground covers and living mulches. They also attract pollinators and have a long bloom season, a great option for potted roses.
Benefits: acts as a living mulch and attracts pollinators.
Vegetables
Now, we know this may sound strange, but roses and compact veggies have been a traditional pairing for a long time.
Onion (Alliums spp.)
Zones: 4-9
Due to their strong scent, several plants in this genus, like garlic, onions, and ornamental alliums, are known to deter many pests, including aphids, borers, and moles. They can also help prevent rose blackspot.
Benefits: deters pests and prevents fungal diseases.
Beetroots (Beta vulgaris)
Zones: 2-11
Beets and roses have similar growing conditions, and roses also provide shade and protection. There is no particular benefit to this fit, just that beetroots donât disturb roses, making them work together peacefully.
Benefits: no particular ones.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Zones: 2a-11b
This leafy green can act as a ground cover and provide shade to the roses' roots to retain moisture longer. They have low growing habits that donât interfere with the roses, while they are offered protection against winds and even harsher sunlight.
Benefits: living mulch.
Herbs
Herbs are some of the best companion plants for a wide range of plants due to their pest-deterring abilities and aesthetic value.
Sage (Salvia spp.)
Zones: 4-10
These fuzzy-leaf herbs contain sulfur, a natural fungicide that can be helpful in preventing many common fungal diseases.
Benefits: prevents fungal diseases.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Zones: 5-9
This is a classic pairing, not only for their beauty but also for the benefits this herb brings. It is great at deterring pests, fleas, mosquitos, and aphids, as well as larger unwanted visitors like rabbits and deer, with a bonus of attracting pollinators.
Benefits: deters pests and attracts pollinators.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Zones: 3-8
With feathery purple flowers it enhances rose bloom colors, especially pale pink roses, and itâs great at covering the shrubs' bare legs or unsightly damaged foliage. It also repels Japanese beetles and aphids.
Benefits: aesthetically interesting and deters pests.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Zones: 2-11
Although a bit odd, this painting actually works and even looks great. Parsley helps keep Japanese beetles and aphids at bay while providing ground cover and acting as natural mulch.
Benefits: acts as a living mulch and deters pests.
Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Zones: 5-9
Besides adding a tasty herb to your garden, youâll also gain a swarm of predatory insects. They will feast on a number of pests and repel rabbits and deer. It can work as a living mulch and help with soil aeration and overall health.
Benefits: attracts beneficial insects, acts as a living mulch, and helps with soil aeration.
Other Plants
Artemisia spp.
Zones: 3-9
Although they flower, their interest comes mainly from silvery and fuzzy foliage. It contrasts your roses, making them stand out. Itâs very low maintenance, with virtually no care after establishment.
Benefits: aesthetically appealing.
Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Zones: 5-9
Their evergreen foliage makes sure your garden is colorful all year. Try to find some varieties that are more full sun tolerant, so they can be grown near your roses without worries.
Benefits: aesthetically interesting.
Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
Zones: 3-9
This succulent is low-maintenance, long-blooming, and drown-resistant. There are tons of varieties to choose from, and plenty can serve as living mulch and attract pollinators.
Benefits: acts as a living mulch and attracts pollinators.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Zones: 4-9
Although they produce flowers, their true appeal comes from a wide range of colorful foliage that complements your rose bushes' vibrant blooms and creates a fuller look.
Benefits: aesthetically appealing.
Best Roses for Companion Planting
All roses are able to be paired, but some might be easier to handle and incorporate into a companion garden than others. These are some suggestions for companion planting roses.
Evergreen Rose
Although not truly evergreen, since it varies between climates, these roses are the ones capable of maintaining blooms and foliage throughout the year.
âIcebergâ
A white blooming rose known for being low-maintenance and flowering repeatedly throughout the season. However, itâs not technically evergreen.
âCarefree Delightâ
With glossy foliage and pink blooms, this disease-resistant rose bush is great for continuous blooming.
Knockout Rose
Reliable and beautiful, these roses are known for being hardy, vigorous growers with higher disease resistance.
âKnock Out Redâ
With vibrant and flashy red flowers, itâs also hardy and resistant to common rose diseases.
âRainbow Knock Outâ
This unique variety offers even more interesting features, as it is able to produce blooms that transition from yellow to pink and red.
âDouble Knock Outâ
This red showstopper has the interesting feature of producing double flowers while also being reliable and disease-resistant.
In-Pot Roses
For this medium, roses with compact sizes and the ability to thrive in confined spaces are best.
âSweet Sunblazeâ
This miniature rose is known for its continuous blooming and wide range of vibrant colors.
âSunset Celebrationâ
Besides the compact growth, this rose also has the added bonus of releasing a mild fragrance from its apricot-colored roses.
What Should You Not Plant Around Roses?
Remember, the same way some plants help, others cause damage. Hereâs what to avoid:
Fuchsia
Although visually they look great together, this plant prefers a more shaded area than roses, making them incompatible.
Ferns
Due to their aggressive growing habits, ferns would quickly begin competing with your shrubs. Besides, they prefer a lot more moisture.
Nightshade Family
Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and more in this family have very different requirements and produce a toxin that negatively affects roses.
Nasturtiums
Although considered one of the most universal companion plants, it is not advised to plant these near your roses. They will unnecessarily attract aphids to your garden.
Sunflower
Although theyâd work aesthetically, sunflowers attract plenty of insects, some beneficial and some destructive, like aphids and other pests.
Companion Plants for Roses to Keep Pests Away
If your garden is always full of flying annoying bugs that clean onto your shrubs and take the life out of your roses, try these rose companions:
- Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
- Four-oâclocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
- Giant Hyssop (Agastache spp.)
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
- Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Plants to Deter Aphids
If aphids, that persistent little pest, is what trouble your roses the most, consider planting:
- Onions (Alliums spp.)
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Rules of Companion Planting With Roses
For a perfect companionship:
- Roses need space to bloom at their best. Companions should be planted at least one foot (30 cm) away from rose bushes to avoid overcrowding and disturbances of the root system.
- Donât choose aggressive plants that will compete and possibly overpower your roses.
- Pruning both your roses and their companions is necessary to promote good aeration and prevent fungal and bacterial diseases.
What to Avoid in Your Companion Planting?
Try to avoid these mistakes:
- Cramming the plants together can lead to fungal diseases and improper growth due to unavailable sunlight.
- Choosing noncompatible plants.
- Planting single companion plants instead of a few to ensure better results. Itâs best to thin them later rather than having not enough. Leave the underplanting for roses.
- Trying everything at once instead of just starting with one or two companions and working your way up.
How to Choose the Best Rose Companion Plant
To ensure the best companions for your roses, take these aspects into account:
- Aesthetically, considering the color and texture of both blooms but also of foliage is important.
- Plan according to available space to ensure healthy plants.
- Time of bloom, growing habits, and nutritional needs should be studied before planting.
- Your garden will dictate what works or not, both from soil types and sun exposure to how heavy the insect population in your area is. Listen to it.
FAQ
What Is the Best Rose Companion?
There is no right answer to this question, but aromatic herbs, in general, tend to have the best repelling abilities and overall benefits. Besides, lavandula has always been one of classic roses companion plants.
What Are the Best Areas to Plant Roses?
Roses enjoy well-draining, rich soils and plenty of sun exposure. They also require a bit of space to develop freely, so a spot with all of these would be the best for your shrubs.
