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The Daily Insight

What should I plant in front of roses

Author

Emma Valentine

Published May 21, 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 do you put in front of 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 is a good ground cover for roses?

Shallow-rooted perennials such as yarrow, those with deep vertical roots and many annuals work well as ground cover among roses. Avoid annual or perennial twining vines, such as morning glories or Virginia creeper, and potentially invasive perennials with deep runners, such as spearmint.

What should you not plant around roses?

  • Bunchberry – needs shade and lots of water to thrive.
  • Toad lilies – need well-draining soil but do best in full shade.
  • Leopard plants – have a love for shade and need slightly alkaline soil that is moist.
  • Fuchsia – shade is a requirement for this plant to thrive, along with rich moist soil.

What shrubs go well with roses?

  • Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ …
  • ‘Elegant Candy’ Daylily. …
  • Lady’s Mantle. …
  • ‘Munstead’ Lavender. …
  • ‘Presto’ Tickseed. …
  • Festival Star Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata ‘Danfestar’) …
  • ‘Jacob Cline’ Bee Balm. …
  • Peach-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia)

What to plant with roses to deter aphids?

Sage, thyme, lavender rosemary, garlic, allium, and chives are all great herbal companions that produce highly scented leaves that deter pests. Yarrow attracts ladybugs, which in turn consume rose damaging aphids.

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.

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.

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.

Can you plant daffodils with roses?

Hardiness3 – 9Season of InterestSpring (Early,Mid,Late)

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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.

Can you plant lavender under roses?

Lavender. English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, especially the dark purple-blue ‘Hidcote’, looks wonderful with apricot, pink, crimson or red roses.

Can I plant lilies with roses?

Lilies fit in perfectly between roses as they don’t take up too much room. It is easy to find a spot for the tall and skinny plants. Asiatic Lilies start to bloom in the South Side Rose Garden. Plant Asiatic Lilies if you want blooms to start just before the spring flush and continue blooming with the roses.

Can you plant daylilies with roses?

Because this garden receives over 8 hours of daily sunlight, the daylilies have become giants and are crowding out the “stars” of the garden – our roses. … These will make less intrusive companions to the roses, lavender, sedum, and Mike’s tomato plant that already reside in the garden.

How close can roses be planted together?

I like to think my roses can actually shake hands with each other – or in their case blooms! To this end I choose good Garden Roses and plant them anywhere from 20 inches to 30 inches apart depending on the ultimate size of the plant. If you live in warmer climates you may need to space them further apart.

Do roses need sun or shade?

Roses thrive on direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight is recommended. However, even when planted against a north wall (meaning no direct sunlight) roses can still perform well. To see a list of roses suitable for shaded areas click here.

What kind of mulch is best for roses?

Materials such as wood chips, straw, or dry grass clippings make good mulches. More decorative materials such as shredded hardwood bark or cocoa bean hulls could also be used. Mulches should be applied about 2-3 inches deep and replaced as needed.

What plants 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.

Can roses and peonies be planted together?

Given their color and size range, roses go exceptionally well in just about any garden. Roses are able to grow well virtually anywhere, but they do best in warmer regions and make great companions for peonies.

Do banana peels keep aphids away?

Natural Pest Repellent Avoid using potentially hazardous insecticides to repel aphids and ants from the garden by using orange and banana peels to keep the pests away. Cut up banana peels to bury 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil around plants that are prone to aphid infestations to repel and remove aphids from the area.

What smell do aphids hate?

Aphids especially hate the strong scent of marigolds and catnip, so they make great companion plants for valuable crops you’re trying to protect. Herbs that we consider wonderfully fragrant, like dill, fennel, cilantro, chives, and peppermint, also have smells that deter aphids.

Does lavender stop greenfly on roses?

Another aromatic plant, lavender will keep aphids away from your roses. Grow lavender in companion with roses for a spectacular display and to keep aphids away.

Can you plant roses in front of house?

I know I do! Brighten up your front yard and add some colorful landscape by planting lots of roses, in all colors and shapes. Dress up the corners of the house, add a few potted roses by your door, and add some window boxes with colorful mini roses. … Roses also make a really nice border for your storage shed.

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.

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.

How far apart should you plant standard roses?

Plant approximately 2 to 5m apart depending on the growth habit.

Do rose bushes need a trellis?

While nonclimbing varieties such as grandiflora, hybrid tea roses and shrub roses do not require a trellis, they benefit from its support, as some of these can reach 6 to 10 feet high and sometimes just as wide.

What should I plant in front of daffodils?

  1. Azaleas and Rhododendrons. This is one of those times to indulge in creating some eye candy. …
  2. Daylilies. …
  3. Forsythia. …
  4. Grape Hyacinths. …
  5. Tulips.

Can you plant tulips with roses?

But remember that tulip bulbs are only good for a few seasons and will need to be replaced with new bulbs after a couple of years. On the other hand, if you mean “real” roses (shrubs), then no, tulips are not good choices. Roses like water, but tulips do not after they are done blooming.

Can you plant bedding plants on top of bulbs?

Can I plant on top of bulbs? Absolutely. Winter bedding plants are a great way to give your display a head start before the bulbs flower.

Can I plant mint with roses?

Mint – deters ants and aphids (be careful with mint though, as it can easily become overgrown and invasive) Geraniums – repel Japanese beetles, aphids, and other rose beetles. Chives – repel many insects. Tomatoes – help protect roses from black spot and add tasty food as well.