Roses are one of the prettiest flowers. The only problem is that they don’t bloom throughout the year. Instead, they bloom only at certain times and because of that, your rose garden may not always look as good as you would like it to look. The solution to this problem is more than simple. All you should do is plant some more flowers and make your garden look amazing all the time.
Daylilies
Daylilies make great companions to roses for the whole year. It doesn’t matter whether they’re blooming or not, they are always your roses’ best friend. When blooming, daylilies bring so much life and colour to your garden. This makes the garden really pop up. On the other hand, when they aren’t blooming, they are great for providing plumes of grass. You will adore daylilies since they are highly adaptable and vigorous perennials that require the bare minimum of care to survive.
Perennials
Perennials will make a great choice for your rose garden. Perennials such as alstroemerias, catmint, or scabiosa are just some of the great ideas for rose companions. These are especially suitable for combinations with shrub roses. You can plant the roses by spacing them about 1.5m apart. The bush should develop well above the perennials which will happen in a year or two. In winter, when you prune the roses, make sure to not cut too much. Instead, cut lightly and leave 30cm or more above the perennials. When it comes to perennials, all you need to do is to pick the ones you like and make your rose garden look better immediately.
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses make great companions for roses since they are low-maintenance and their root systems don’t compete with roses so they let the roses shine and show off as much as they should. With ornamental grass, you’ll add texture and motion to your already beautiful garden. A useful tip would be to make sure to get non-invasive varieties to avoid having to pull out runners. Depending on your region, choose fountaingrass, switchgrass, or little bluestem. Once you’ve decided on the plant you want, check whether they complement your roses and, if they do, plant them.
Foliage plants
Foliage plants are great for bringing variety to your garden. You can choose short foliage plants, those of intermediate size or some taller ones. The choice is yours and you should make it according to your preferences and the type of your rose garden. If you’re looking for shorter foliage plants, consider pachysandra terminalis or liriope spicata. On the other hand, plants such as boxwood shrubs or yew bushes may be the ones for you if your garden requires some taller plants. If you have no idea what you’re looking for, don’t despair, there is plenty of flowers in Sydney to inspire you and help you get what you need.
Architectural plants
If your rose beds start looking flat or too busy, the best thing you can do for your garden is changing the focus of it. For instance, adding architectural plants may be very useful for the garden that needs more life. Plants like these are very bold but they are great because they won’t overwhelm your flowers. You can add plants such as bamboo or palm trees to your garden and see this for yourself. The roses will still be the stars of your garden but these plants will back them up amazingly.
Annual flowers
Annuals are always great to help you liven up rose gardens. Your rose beds may seem boring and bare during the winter, once the pruning is done. Thanks to the colourful annuals, this won’t be a problem anymore. Depending on the region you live in, you can plant various kinds of annuals. For instance, alyssum, begonia, or calendula are great options for colder regions such as Melbourne or Tasmania. On the other hand, you can choose grevillea or pansies for Sydney’s temperate climate. Whichever annuals you choose, make sure to organize them nicely. You can place all the annuals in a narrow bed between the roses and the edge of the lawn.
Shrubs
Shrubs, especially low ones, are perfect for rose gardens. They can look simple and refined and they will definitely not steal the show from your roses. What they will do is add some life and sense of variety to your garden. You can opt for green shrubs or some coloured ones, depending on your garden. Place them strategically in the garden and enjoy the refreshed look of your roses.
Attractive pollinators
Vegetables have always made a great pairing for the roses. Roses and vegetables are great together because they grow in full sun, they like level beds and they need regular watering. The best thing is that the pollinators, especially bees, will be attracted. You can organize the roses and veggies to make them look good together but to also make them practical. You can place veggies such as lettuce, cabbage, or carrots in front of the roses. This way, the vegetables won’t block out the sun for the roses. You can also use climbing roses and place them over the archway to make your garden look even more beautiful.
Insect repellents
One of the great ideas for rose companions could be insect repellents. They will not only add variety to your garden, but they will also be very practical and useful. Once the strong-smelling plants start growing next to your beautiful roses, the insects will definitely get confused and start avoiding your garden. Herbs such as feverfew, perennial basil or rue have strongly aromatic leaves and they would be very useful in your garden. Wormwood, tansy, or Santolina are also great choices since they too have aromatic leaves. If you do opt for Santolina, you can plant it as a low hedge around rose beds.
Conclusion
Rose gardens are usually very refined and they look amazing. With some of these plants, they can get even more refined and look even more amazing.