The most suitable plants to place near roses

Choosing the right plants to plant near roses isn't easy. But the first tip is to focus on aromatic plants, especially lavender, sage, and rosemary: they help keep pests at bay that can damage your roses. Secondly, there are some plants and flowers that are very well-suited to coexisting with roses, almost complementing them.

Anise mint (Agastache anethiodora)

Agastache is a perennial plant with tall, pointed flowers that contrast nicely with the cup-shaped roses. There are about 30 different species of agastache plants , with flowers ranging from deep blue to lavender-purple , and they don't require any special care. They need water every two weeks in the warm months, but they tolerate even the coldest climates well, even withstanding temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius . Fun fact: the leaves of aniseed are named for their scent.

Campanula

A plant with characteristic heart-shaped leaves, perfect for outdoor cultivation, it thrives in hanging pots, as its flowers tend to cascade. Most campanula species bloom repeatedly throughout the summer, filling the garden with color and fragrance when the roses are taking a break. Beware of cold climates; it tends to die below 7°C.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

A classic pairing with roses, highly recommended by gardeners and nurserymen . The abundant sprays of blue and lilac flowers "engulf" the rose blooms, hiding their stems and thorns in a swirl of exciting color. Very hardy, its stems and leaves contain an insect repellent , making it very useful for keeping them away from our garden. Cut the catnip after it blooms and it will bloom again and again.

Baptisia (Baptisia australis)

Baptisia is one of the most beautiful blue flowers you can grow, with a blue so distinctive that the Baptisia Tintoria variety was used to dye fabrics. It blooms only once a season, but for a long time. And once the flowers have faded, we can still see a splendid blue-green blanket of pea-like pods, so captivating because they tinkle when shaken by the wind.

Phlox (Flox)

Typical of the summer season, phlox is a very romantic flower, whose variety has improved significantly over time. New varieties are selected to be much less prone to powdery mildew , a leaf disease resulting from a fungal infection . Phlox flowers are very beautiful, striking, and form dense bushes that enclose roses in lush foliage. It may look like a hydrangea , but it is its twin brother, more hardy and requiring less water , despite starting to bloom at above 30 degrees.

Geranium (Geranium)

A timeless classic from grandmothers' balconies. Especially the lilac and purple varieties , the so-called hardy ones , geraniums have long been the first choice for planting alongside roses, surrounding their trunks. Growing low, they act as a living, spontaneous mulch , protecting the roots of rose bushes. They also complement the color palette of our garden with their shades of white, pink, and blue.

Lavender (Lavandula)

If we love fragrant flowers , what's better than the combination of lavender and rose? We choose colors that blend well together. The lighter shades of lavender look wonderful with pastel roses and deep reds . And what about the many uses of lavender? Excellent as a room freshener or mosquito repellent , it has only one drawback: it needs at least eight hours of sunlight a day , so no shady areas.

Lily (Lilium)

The lily is one of the most fragrant flowers, blooming from late May to early September , and there are approximately 8000 different types, with every shade of color we desire. The rarest shade is a burnished orange , which creates a wonderful contrast between such showy flowers and the elegance of roses. Lilies tend to bloom more or less at the same time as roses, in summer, but if we know how to care for them, they will give us fragrance and flowers several times a year. Be careful how we treat the bulbs when we plant them, however; they are very delicate.

Sage (Salvia pratensis)

A medicinal plant with a thousand uses, both medicinal and culinary, it is one of the hardiest and most adaptable garden plants. Its pointed blue-violet flowers , rarely pink or whitish , will begin blooming shortly before roses and continue for weeks. Be sure to prune the dead flowers to ensure repeat blooms.

Purple Sensation (Allium aflatunense)

Also known as “ornamental garlic ,” larger alliums, such as those called “Purple Sensation ,” tend to flower in mid- spring , while roses are just emerging into new growth and are barely more than buds . If we choose multiple varieties that flower at different times, we’ll have a long season of large, sphere-shaped flowers in a deep purple , which contrast beautifully with the delicate roses.

Read also:

• Ornamental garlic: how to grow it in the ground or in a pot
• Calendula: the flower that protects the garden
• Flowering Canna: it can also be grown in a pot
• Growing buddleia in a pot or in the garden