Top 11 Rose-Friendly Plants to Boost Your Garden's Charm
Roses are beloved for their breathtaking scents and vibrant blooms, but they can be susceptible to various diseases and insect pests, such as blackspot, Botrytis blight, stem cankers, mosaic virus, rose rosette, aphids, beetles, stem cutter bees, spider mites, midge, and thrips. However, there are several companion plants that can help roses thrive and repel potential pests.
Tomato plants, for instance, repel blackspot, a major fungal pest of roses. If you like the tall spikes of these flowers, you'll also love pairing roses with Russian sage, a plant from the mint family, just like salvia. These plants not only offer a visual contrast but also help keep blackspot and mildew at bay.
Verbascums, known as common mullein, begin blooming in the middle of spring and are still going when roses come into bloom. They repel cockroaches and moths, providing an additional layer of protection for your rose bushes.
Lavender and roses bloom at about the same time, and their scents can be breathtaking. The essential oils of lavender repel fleas, flies, and moths, making it a great companion for roses. Just be sure to plant lavender and roses in separate beds, since lavender prefers slightly drier soil.
Geraniums repel mosquitoes, blackflies, and gnats, which can stop the spread of various rose diseases. They are also visually appealing, especially when paired with white roses.
If you can avoid using chemicals, some vegetables would look great planted with roses. For example, a mixture of lettuces at the feet of the roses not only provides colour but also helps control soil moisture. However, if you plan to plant vegetables with your roses, you'll need to be careful not to spray your roses with anything that you wouldn't want in your food.
Some plants repel insect pests away from themselves and to adjacent rose bushes. These include most kinds of citrus, all hot peppers, cedar, and mint.
Penstemons attract birds, beneficial insects, and butterflies but are resistant to deer and rabbits. They add texture to your rose garden with their variety of colours and shapes.
For miniature roses, consider lamb's ears. They hide their bare legs, cover up long stems, and suppress weeds while keeping the soil moist and cool.
Wallflower produces a group of chemicals known as cardenolides, which make butterflies resistant to predators and deter rabbits and deer from rose and flower beds.
Clematis makes a perfect planting partner for climbing roses. They come into bloom just as the first flush of roses is coming to an end, offering a beautiful visual transition.
Alliums ward off aphids and make the scents of roses stronger. They begin blooming in the middle of spring and are still going when roses come into bloom.
Salvias have spiral shapes that contrast the structure of roses, creating interest. They also help keep blackspot and mildew at bay.
Lilies offer a different, delicious fragrance while rose buds are regenerating. However, be aware that all parts of lilies, even the pollen, are toxic to dogs and cats and potentially fatal to puppies and kittens, so keep pets and lilies separate.
In addition to these, consider planting herbs like culinary sage, thyme, lavender, basil, chamomile, and rosemary to benefit your rose garden. They not only repel pests but also attract pollinators and provide aromatic plants for cooking.
Remember, roses require full sun and good air circulation to stave off disease. Planting roses under taller trees or shrubs is never a good idea. The soil under nut-bearing trees is an especially bad location for roses, as walnuts, hickories, and some oaks release chemicals that kill all vegetation beneath them.
Companion plants share a home in a garden with roses and can either protect roses from disease or share the spotlight with them. They are essential tools for organic rose gardeners and a useful way to reduce the need for chemicals for gardeners who take a more conventional approach.
So, planting the right companion plants will not only protect your roses from pests but also provide you with delicious aromatic plants for cooking and a visually appealing garden. Absolutely!
