The effect of roses can be increased with the right underplanting. But which plants harmonize with roses? Here are a few at a glance.
An underplanted rose bush is one of the aesthetic highlights in the garden. The roses themselves look majestic and the appropriate underplanting supports this picture. After all, the rose is considered the queen of flowers. But which plants not only look good with roses, but also harmonize well with them ecologically? And what else should be considered when choosing companion plants? We'll tell you.
Basics of rose companions
Roses prefer a low-acid, calcareous and deep soil with good water permeability and an abundance of nutrients. In addition, they like light-flooded, not too humid locations with at least five hours of sunshine a day. Therefore, always choose companion plants that harmonize well with these requirements and do not have too deep and expansive roots. Roses do not appreciate the competition in the ground at all. Therefore, always provide weakly rooted rose varieties with a free or only superficially planted radius of 60 centimeters.
These flowers go well with roses
Grasses for the Flower Queen:
With flowering grasses you create a lively, natural-looking environment for your roses. Additional benefit: the ground under the grass does not heat up as much during the summer months and dries out much more slowly. Pennisetum, Reed Grass or Love Grass with its atmospheric red-brown flowers make wonderful companions to roses.
Herbal protection against voracious pests:
Herbs exude essential oils and are perfect for protecting roses from greedy predators. A mix of oregano, sage, rosemary and fennel spreads an aromatic, fragrant aura that quickly makes many pests lose their appetite for rose petals.
Perennials for atmospheric play of colour:
Perennial perennials are real classics among rose companions. The large color spectrum of the rose blossoms and the inexhaustible number of plants in question makes theSelection for a task that is as attractive as it is demanding. Stick to three important basic rules for a harmonious overall impression:
- Don't overwhelm the eye with too many strong color contrasts.
- Choose perennials that look up at the rose bloom, not down.
- Leave all plants enough space to develop undisturbed.
These perennials are a great match:
➜ Lavender:
Lavender is very popular as a companion to roses, but should only be planted on nutrient-poor soil at a distance of at least one meter from the rose. Other companion plants must not shade the sun-loving lavender. Reading tip: Growing lavender - That's how it's done.
➜ Larkspur:
Tall rose varieties or climbing roses harmonize perfectly with blue-blooming delphiniums, whose beautiful panicles not only create a color contrast, but also a charming shape contrast. Reading tip: Planting and caring for delphiniums - That's how it's done.
➜ Bluebells:
Low rose bushes can be effectively underplanted with bluebells. The blue, white or lilac-colored whale bellflower is perfect with a growth height of up to 15 centimeters and feels very comfortable in the partial shade of a rose bush.
➜ More great combinations:
- Lady's coat (yellow)
- Red spur flowers (red to pink)
- White spur flowers (white)
- Yarrow (white)