Wondering what to plant alongside your roses? Discover these horticulturist-recommended perennials, shrubs, and grasses that thrive in sun and well-draining soil, just like roses! Roses are a beloved garden staple, known for their romantic, whimsical charm, sweet fragrance, and classic appeal. By carefully selecting companion plants, you can enhance disease resistance, extend the season of interest, and deter deer from browsing on your roses. Here’s a look at perennials, shrubs, and grasses that share similar light levels, soil preferences, and other growing conditions with roses.
How to Grow Roses
Roses generally share common growing requirements regardless of cultivar. Here’s a quick guide on how to grow and care for roses:
- Soil: Roses prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Incorporating compost, aged manure, or leaf mold into the planting soil can benefit all types of roses.
- Light: Roses thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal flower production.
- Water: Maintain lightly moist soil but avoid excessive watering, especially in the evening to reduce the risk of disease. Some rose varieties, such as those in the Oso Easy® series from Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs, are more drought-tolerant once established.
- Fertilizing: Use a specialized fertilizer for roses to encourage beautiful blooms. Be cautious with high-nitrogen fertilizers, which might inhibit flowering.
- Winterizing: Roses grown on their own roots do not require extra steps for winter care. If your rose is grafted, add a layer of compost or shredded leaves around the base to insulate it, removing it in spring to improve airflow.
- Maintenance and Pruning: Prune roses to remove deadwood, control growth, and encourage new shoots. Wait until early spring growth begins before pruning and remove any old branches to improve airflow and trim the rest by about one-third of their height.
Plants to Pair with Roses
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
For Sun
Boost your garden’s flower power by pairing hydrangea shrubs with roses. Both thrive in full sun environments but benefit from some afternoon shade, especially in hot, dry climates. Hydrangeas add a splash of large, colorful blooms that complement the elegance of roses beautifully. - Lavender (Lavandula)
For Sun
This pairing is perfect for cut-flower gardens. Lavender’s vibrant flower spikes bring a delightful contrast to roses’ layered petals. Both plants thrive in dry soils, but newly planted lavender may need additional moisture until established. - Foxglove (Digitalis)
For Sun
Foxglove is an excellent choice for cottage gardens where climbing roses flourish. The tall, tubular blooms of foxglove contrast nicely with the elegant petals of climbing roses, adding vertical interest to your landscape during midsummer. - Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
For Sun
Shasta Daisy is a classic companion for roses in full-sun gardens. Their maintenance and pruning needs are similar to those of roses, making them a seamless addition. These white daisies add a cheerful contrast to the rich colors of rose blooms. - Allium (Allium)
For Sun
The whimsical, globe-shaped flowers of allium add texture and visual interest to rose gardens. This low-maintenance perennial is not only durable but also attracts pollinators, enhancing the garden’s biodiversity. - Stonecrop (Sedum)
For Sun
Stonecrop (Sedum) is a sun-loving ground cover that pairs beautifully with roses. Its low-growing nature makes it perfect as a foreground plant or for creating striking color blocks alongside ground-cover roses. - Tickseed (Coreopsis)
For Sun
Tickseed is a great companion plant for roses if you plan to enjoy cut flowers indoors. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can last 2-3 weeks without wilting or losing color in floral arrangements. - Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
For Sun
Russian Sage adds a cool, frosty look to rose gardens with its bright purple blooms and silver-gray foliage. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny gardens, making it a perfect match for roses. - Coneflower (Echinacea)
For Sun
Planting coneflowers with roses brings additional color and pollinator activity to your garden. These native perennials offer a rainbow of flower colors and strong stems that can hold up alongside rose blooms. - Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
For Sun
Phlox is another staple for cottage gardens, thriving in full sun. Its tall, upright habit and vibrant colors make it an attractive background for rose bushes. Planting phlox outward into the lawn can create a pollinator haven and reduce mowing chores. - Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’)
For Sun
Red creeping thyme blooms at the same time as roses, making it an ideal ground cover. Its vibrant, carpet-like display can serve as a substitute for lawns or add color around rose shrubs. - Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
For Sun
Black-Eyed Susan adds late-season color to your garden, keeping the landscape vibrant as summer transitions into fall. This native plant is adored by birds, who feed on its seed heads. - Karl Foerster (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)
For Sun
‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass creates an elegant backdrop behind roses. Its compact size and vertical growth make it an excellent privacy screen or border plant, reaching up to 60 inches tall at maturity. - Yarrow (Achillea)
For Sun
Yarrow adds long-lasting beauty to the garden from early summer through fall. This low-maintenance perennial can thrive in almost any soil, attracting pollinators with its lovely scent and colorful blooms. It’s also ideal for cut flower gardens.
