What to Plant with Roses

Roses look their best when paired with the right companion plants. The perfect partners don’t just enhance colour — they improve soil structure, attract pollinators, and naturally deter pests. With thoughtful selection, you can create a layered, living display that keeps your rose beds healthy and full of life all year.

Why Companion Plants Matter

Companion planting helps roses thrive by managing light, moisture, and biodiversity. Plants that draw beneficial insects can protect blooms from aphids, while those with shallow roots reduce competition for nutrients. The result is a balanced micro-ecosystem that keeps your rose garden looking lush and resilient.

The key is choosing plants that complement rather than crowd your roses — both in height and root habit.

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Flowers and Foliage That Pair Beautifully with Roses

Lavender: Its scent masks the aroma that attracts aphids, while its silvery foliage highlights rose colours. Both thrive in sunny, free-draining soil.

Catmint (Nepeta): Provides a soft blue border that contrasts with bold rose blooms. It flowers repeatedly and attracts pollinators that improve rose health.

Salvia: Deep purple or blue salvia varieties create vertical accents and draw bees, increasing natural pest control in the rose bed.

Geraniums (Cranesbill): Low-growing varieties cover bare soil beneath roses, keeping roots cool and suppressing weeds.

Foxgloves and Delphiniums: Add vertical drama behind shrub roses. These cottage-garden classics bloom at similar times, extending colour displays.

Alliums: Their subtle onion scent repels aphids and black spot spores. Plant bulbs between rose bushes for a layered seasonal effect.

Silver foliage plants: Lamb’s ear and dusty miller soften the overall look while reflecting sunlight to prevent mildew near dense rose canopies.

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How to Combine and Care for Rose Companions

Keep companion plants at least 30–40 cm from the rose base to avoid competing with its roots. Arrange taller species like foxgloves behind roses, with smaller herbs or groundcovers at the front. This tiered layout ensures good airflow, sunlight, and easy maintenance.

Feed all plants in your rose bed with a gentle, balanced fertiliser such as CompleteGrow All Purpose NPK 20-20-20 every 4–6 weeks through the growing season. Roses may also benefit from an additional high-potassium blend once flowering begins to support repeat blooms.

Water deeply once or twice per week and mulch generously to maintain soil moisture and temperature for the mixed planting.

FAQs

What should I not plant near roses?
Avoid heavy feeders like large shrubs or aggressive groundcovers that compete for nutrients or shade the rose’s base.

Can herbs grow with roses?
Yes. Rosemary, sage, and thyme deter pests and enhance air circulation while adding fragrance.

Do companion plants affect rose blooming?
When chosen well, companions improve soil health and pollination — helping roses bloom more consistently.

A thoughtful planting mix not only beautifies your garden but also supports rose health naturally — creating a balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem that blooms all year.