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The Daily Insight

What flowers go best with roses

Author

Lily Fisher

Published May 15, 2026

Good rose companions are those that hide their bare legs. Traditionally, lavender (Lavandula), catmint (Nepeta), and tall growing pinks (Dianthus) all make good partners. 3 Good companions also act as living mulches—suppressing weeds and lightly shading the soil, keeping rose roots nice and cool.

What should you not plant around roses?

The University of Missouri Extension warns against planting large shrubs and trees close to roses because they will outcompete the roses for resources. Large shrubs and trees can also block out sunlight and restrict airflow around the foliage, which can cause problems for rose bushes.

Do lavender and roses grow well together?

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) – Lavender can be planted near roses. It has been noted in some cases to help keep aphids away from the rose bushes. … Parsley is another of the companion plants that help deter some insects that tend to bother rose bushes.

What plants go well with standard roses?

Companion plants that grow well with roses: Mini agapanthus, Lamb’s Ears, Erysimum, Woodworm, Dianthus, Chamomile cultivars, Pansies, Petunias, Violets, Daisy, Strawberries, Gerbera, Daylilies, Bearded Iris, Statice, Baby’s Breath and Delphinium.

What types of flowers look good together?

  1. Geraniums and Roses. Roses come in a variety of colors. …
  2. Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susans. …
  3. Astilbe and Hosta. …
  4. Hydrangeas and Daylilies. …
  5. Daffodils and Amsonia. …
  6. Hibiscus and Bee Balm. …
  7. Iris and Phlox. …
  8. Tulips and Hyacinth.

What to put around rose bushes?

The use of mulch around roses to help retain soil moisture is a practice that is highly encouraged. Mulch will also help keep soils cool and help retard weed growth. Materials such as wood chips, straw, or dry grass clippings make good mulches.

Do hydrangeas and roses grow well together?

Hello, like the previous readers said, some roses like full sun and most hydrangeas like shade. HOWEVER, one combination works perfectly together. … You can use limelight hydrangeas and knock-out roses. I alternated the two and they both grow at least 5 feet if not more.

What do you plant in front of knockout roses?

  1. Lavender.
  2. Mexican sage.
  3. Herbs such as catmint, thyme or oregano.
  4. Marigolds.
  5. Larkspurs.
  6. Petunias.
  7. Salvias.
  8. Lambs’ Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Can I plant 2 roses together?

Different varieties of roses may be planted as single plants within the same border. Similarly, single rose plants may be planted amongst other companion plants within a mixed border. In both instances, make sure you allow enough space for the mature width of the rose. Diagram shows one rose planted in a bed or border.

Can I plant marigolds with roses?

Marigolds help repel harmful nematodes and many pests, etc. Underplanting your shrub roses with a succession of flowers will reinforce the beauty of their romantic blooms and extend the flowering season of your mixed border. … Roses do best in full sun and well-drained soil.

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Can strawberries and roses be planted together?

Many companion plants can be grown alongside rose bushes. Strawberry plants are reliable landscape plants in rose beds, and they bring the additional benefit of a spring fruit crop. Both strawberries and roses prefer growing in fertile, loamy soils that are rich in organic matter and drain well.

What is a good ground cover for roses?

Recommended rose ground cover plants include Calamintha nepeta, Artemisia stelleriana ‘Boughton Silver’ and Erigeron karvinskianus. Valuable evergreen detail is found in Teucrium x lucidrys and Euphorbia myrsinites, while the grasses Stipa calamagrostis and Stipa lessingiana add movement and vertical interest.

What color roses go well together?

Basically, go for the classic look: red, dark pink, medium pink, light pink, white (any combination, such as dark pink, light pink, white–calming, peaceful effect). Or go for a more “modern” look: apricot-gold-yellows, cream, white. Even some orange or tropic shades would work in there. Lively warm effect.

What color flowers go best together?

  • Blue complements orange.
  • Green complements red.
  • Yellow complements violet.

What compliments Redflowers?

When looking for partners for these red-orange flowers, you can always depend on their analogous colors, which include yellow, lime green, coral and burgundy. When you want to emphasize this color’s heat, pair it with orange’s complementary color: blue.

Can peonies be planted with roses?

Hardiness5 – 9Plant TypeRoses , ShrubsExposureFull Sun , Partial SunSeason of InterestSpring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall

What flowers compliment hydrangeas?

Azaleas, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, loropetalum and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color. You can select your favorite blossom color since the azalea blooms will have faded before your hydrangea is flowering.

How close can roses be planted together?

Generally, roses should be spaced about two-thirds of the expected height apart. Old garden roses need more space, but if you’re planting miniature roses, these can be planted closer together. If you plant roses too close together, this could lead to fungal diseases and other growth issues.

How often should you water roses?

Watch out for particularly prolonged dry spells. Newly planted roses – water every two or three days. Established roses – water once or twice a week as needed to keep the soil moist around your roses.

How much Epsom salts do you put on roses?

The recommendation for applying Epsom salt to existing rose bushes is to either mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salts into the soil around the rose bush and water well or dissolve 1/2 cup of the salts in water and use to water the soil around rose bush. Do this in the spring, just as the buds are beginning to open.

Are egg shells good for rose bushes?

Eggshells Are Full of Nutrients Primarily a rich source of calcium, eggshells help roses by strengthening the walls of the plant’s cell tissue. … In addition to promoting general plant vigor, calcium contributes to healthy green foliage on rose bushes, as well as to strong root systems.

What is the best month to plant roses?

Roses are best planted in the spring (after the last frost) or in fall (at least six weeks before your average first frost). Planting early enough in fall gives the roots enough time to get established before the plants go dormant over the winter.

Where is the best place to plant a rose bush?

Choose a site with full sun. Six or more hours of sun is recommended. Some roses will grow in partial shade, but most roses bloom their best if they are in a spot that gets sun all day. The exception to this rule is when growing roses in areas with extremely hot growing seasons and limited water.

How long do Rose Bushes live?

Care and Growing Conditions The life span of a rose bush is usually about 15 years, notes New Mexico State University. If your old rose is declining, it may be best to replace the plant. However, you can take steps to revive your rose if it still has some years left to live.

What perennials look good with knockout roses?

Low-lying evergreens or ground covers, such as ivy (Hedera helix) look attractive combined with Knock Out roses. English ivy is hardy in zones 5 through 11. In more casual gardens, combine Knock Out roses with perennial grasses, such as fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), perennials or herbs.

Why do my knockout roses look so bad?

Knockout Roses are generally easy to grow but are affected by familiar rose diseases: Rust, Black Spot, Botrytis Blight, Powdery Mildew and Stem Cancer. … One other possibility, one that has become a problem with Knockout and Drift roses, is Rose rosette disease, spread by a mite.

Are knockout roses annuals or perennials?

Knock Out roses One of the most low-maintenance perennials, they require little care for such aesthetic beauty. Knock Out rose bushes withstand sun and heat, and if cut back after the initial bloom, will flower several times per season for prolonged enjoyment.

Do azaleas and roses grow well together?

Many shrubs are unsuitable because they will be too competitive for the nutrients, space, and water. What is this? For example, you should avoid hibiscus and azaleas because they will crowd your roses and rob them of the nutrients and water they need.

Can you grow roses and jasmine together?

Jasmine’s fragrance carries and fills the air with the rich, heady scent of hot Turkish delight and rose petal jelly – with added pheromones. … And although they are quite big – strong twining climbers that can reach 40ft – they are perfectly happy to share space with other climbers, such as roses.

Can you plant hostas with roses?

I also grow roses and hostas together, that is the roses provide some shade for the hostas. There are two large climbing roses at the deck in the back getting a lot of sun, and hostas below the deck getting only 2 hours of direct sun.

What can you not plant near strawberries?

AVOID planting any of the following alongside strawberries: cauliflower, cabbages, broccoli, fennel, tomatoes, potatoes, melons, peppers and mint. Plants from the brassica family – cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli would compete with the strawberry plants for nutrients.