A Guide to Companion Planting for Roses: What to Grow Alongside Them
Companion planting is a gardening technique where specific plants are grown together to benefit each other. Roses, though beautiful and elegant, can be susceptible to pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Growing the right plants alongside roses can help them thrive by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health, and enhancing the garden's overall aesthetic.
Here’s a guide on the best companion plants for roses and how they contribute to a healthy rose garden.
1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Benefits:
Repels pests such as aphids and whiteflies.
Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which benefit the ecosystem.
Its gray-green foliage and purple blooms create a visually stunning contrast with roses.
Care Tips:
Plant lavender in well-draining soil and ensure full sun exposure.
Space plants to allow good airflow to prevent fungal issues.
2. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
Benefits:
Deters pests such as aphids, ants, and Japanese beetles with its aromatic foliage.
Attracts pollinators and predatory insects like ladybugs.
Low-growing habit helps cover bare soil and prevents weed growth.
Care Tips:
Choose sun-loving varieties like Nepeta faassenii.
Regularly prune after flowering to encourage bushy growth.
3. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Benefits:
Emit compounds that repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies.
Bright orange and yellow flowers add cheerful color to the garden.
Improve soil health by suppressing harmful soil pathogens.
Care Tips:
Plant marigolds in full sun near rose beds.
Replace marigolds annually as they are usually grown as annuals.
4. Alliums (Allium spp.)
Benefits:
Produce a natural sulfur compound that repels aphids, Japanese beetles, and black spot fungus.
Create architectural interest with their spherical purple or white flower heads.
Care Tips:
Plant bulbs in early spring or fall.
Space alliums around the rose bed to avoid overcrowding.
5. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Benefits:
Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Resists pests, ensuring the rose garden stays healthy.
Provides a contrast with roses in height and texture.
Care Tips:
Plant salvias in sunny locations with well-draining soil.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
6. Geraniums (Cranesbills)
Benefits:
Deter pests like Japanese beetles and aphids.
Ground-cover varieties help suppress weeds and cool the soil around rose bushes.
Complement roses with their wide range of colors and bloom shapes.
Care Tips:
Opt for hardy perennial geraniums like Geranium sanguineum.
Space plants to avoid crowding and ensure adequate airflow.
7. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)
Benefits:
Attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
Tall spires provide vertical interest and a dramatic backdrop for rose beds.
Care Tips:
Plant foxgloves in partial shade or dappled sunlight.
Be cautious as all parts of foxglove plants are toxic if ingested.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Benefits:
Attracts predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on aphids.
Improves soil health by increasing nitrogen levels.
Drought-tolerant and thrives alongside roses in dry conditions.
Care Tips:
Plant in sunny spots with well-draining soil.
Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming.
9. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Benefits:
Acts as a living mulch, reducing weed growth and retaining soil moisture.
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Adds delicate, fragrant blooms that complement roses.
Care Tips:
Plant around the base of rose bushes for maximum benefit.
Trim back after flowering to encourage regrowth.
10. Herbs (Thyme, Basil, and Chives)
Benefits:
Thyme: Repels whiteflies and provides a fragrant ground cover.
Basil: Deters aphids and improves soil health.
Chives: Repel Japanese beetles and aphids while preventing fungal diseases like black spot.
Care Tips:
Plant herbs near rose bushes in sunny, well-drained areas.
Regularly harvest herbs to keep them bushy and productive.
11. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum spp.)
Benefits:
Act as a trap crop, luring aphids and other pests away from roses.
Bright blooms enhance the garden’s visual appeal.
Care Tips:
Plant nasturtiums as annuals around rose beds.
Allow them to trail naturally or climb nearby structures.
12. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Benefits:
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Offers drought tolerance, thriving in similar conditions to roses.
Purple or pink blooms create a striking contrast.
Care Tips:
Plant echinacea in well-draining soil with full sun exposure.
Deadhead flowers to prolong blooming.
Companion Planting Tips for Roses
Spacing: Ensure proper spacing to allow airflow, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Soil Health: Add compost or organic mulch around companion plants and roses to enrich the soil.
Watering: Water at the base to minimize fungal issues like black spot.
Seasonal Care: Replace annual companions like marigolds or nasturtiums each year, and cut back perennials in the fall.
By carefully selecting companion plants, you can create a thriving rose garden that is not only beautiful but also naturally pest-resistant and healthy. These plants work together to ensure your roses bloom at their best while enhancing the overall garden ecosystem.
