In this blog you will learn how to choose the right plants, which go well with roses and what advantages a mixed planting has. Roses only lose their full effect when combined with other flowers. Get to know the best partners of the roses.

The full beauty of roses only unfolds with the right companion plant . In addition to perennials, many different plants are suitable as partners. The skilful mixture of varieties puts the focus on the queen of flowers and creates a lively and varied picture in your garden. With annual plants , you can try new color combinations and styles in the bed every year. A mixture of perennials or shrubs has the advantage that you only have to plant once and can enjoy the rose beds for years to come. You can buy numerous perennials, roses and shrubs from us — take a look around!

Find out in this blog what to consider when choosing plants, which plants are particularly suitable as partners and the advantages of mixed planting. It is also important to find the right rose companion for small gardens and containers.

How do I find the right rose companions?

• Ideal rose companions are especially plants that have similar location requirements. This should be taken into account, especially when planting under. Roses prefer rich, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny location. Therefore, the selected rose partners must make the same demands on the location. Plants that prefer dry soil are not so well suited. Pay attention to how you care for your roses.
• Rose companions are plants that visually support the queen of flowers with their growth, shape, leaf or flower color and flowering time . Accompanying perennials for roses are ideal , which do not compete with each other, flower around the trees and do not dominate. The rose thus retains its distinctive role and is expressive thanks to the harmonious arrangement.
• The rose companions can be used to create a picturesque bed of roses . Either you opt for a tone-on-tone planting, for beautiful contrasts or romantically playful arrangements. The possibilities are diverse and there is a suitable plant combination for a rose bed with perennials for every taste.

The rose flower looks best against a green or white background. Therefore, a rose planting near a house wall or wall is often ideal for roses. Perennials can still frame this picture.

Our gardening tips for planting companion roses:

• • Roses prefer open ground and no direct competition . It is therefore important that perennials, shrubs, herbs, annuals and bulbs are planted a little apart from each other.

With a mixed planting , you can ensure that rose bushes that are a bit bare still make a good picture together. Seasonal plants such as magic snow, lobelia or hussar’s heads are also ideal for this.

What plants go well with roses?

The following color sorting should make it easier for you to select suitable companions. Each color brings a special effect to the garden design and emphasizes the flowering shrubs differently.

Simply combine flowers of your choice in the garden. There are no limits to the imagination, because many varieties go well with it. The effect of the rose bed is significantly influenced by the flower color of the accompanying plant. The mixed arrangement in the bed looks appealing for months thanks to matching rose companions. Do not only choose companion perennials for roses with double flowers, because the benefit of a simple flower shape is much greater for insects than double varieties . Insect-friendly plants that bloom for a long time can make a significant contribution to protecting the native fauna. Examples include catnip, sage, lemon balm, spearmint, and more. Frequently these perennials also containessential oils that naturally keep unwanted pests away . If you cut off the flowers on the rose companions after the first pile, they will bloom again within a few weeks.

Romantic effect: association with delicate pastel tones, cream or white

High- contrast effect: red-yellow, orange-blue or red-white-blue color combination (complementary colors)

Noble effect: monochromatic roses mixed with plants with silvery foliage or white flowers

TOP 5 rose companions

garden sage

catnip

cranesbill

lady’s mantle

gypsophila

What are the advantages of mixed planting?

No matter which arrangement you have chosen, in addition to the overall visual appearance, the mixture with the accompanying plants has other advantages.

• • • Many varieties of roses only work when combined with other plants.
    • Thanks to the mixture of different plant species, closed areas are formed that suppress weed growth in the bed.
    • Flowering perennials, such as flowering delphiniums, bluebells or catnip, bring color to the garden before the roses bloom.
    • After flowering, suitable companions can bridge the time until the second bloom of the roses with lush flowers. Lavender, catnip and cranesbill have a long flowering period.

Companion plants can attract beneficial insects and thus minimize the risk of pest infestation.

Blooming roses and lavender — are they really the best partners?

Visually, the combination of roses and lavender creates a picturesque picture and is often the epitome of the classic combination. When the lavender is in full bloom, the shade of blue harmonises with all types of roses. After flowering, the silver-grey foliage creates a harmonious picture. In terms of site conditions, the shrub and perennial do not really harmonize. The lavender plant prefers light, loose and sandy soil, while the shrubs love nutrient-rich soil. If you still want to plant the classic mixture of roses and lavender, it is important to plant the two types of plants a little distance from each other and to water them delicately. Once the flowering shrub has established itself, the mixed planting of lavender and roses can work, because as a deep root the shrub then finds enough water. It is important that the lavender is not poured too much . Also, be aware that lavender and roses have different nutritional requirements.

Our gardening tip: plant catnip or cranesbill as a lavender substitute. Both perennial species have the same requirements as a rose, are hardy and feel comfortable as companion perennials for roses.

Roses and clematis — a dream couple for garden lovers

With the right knowledge and a green thumb, the rose and clematis duo will become the absolute highlight in your garden . If you want to enjoy this combination in your own garden, planning is important in order to select the location and the right partner. Locations in the south-east or south-west are ideal, because unwanted heat build-up can occur in full sun. Plant the shrubs at intervals. The clematis plant is not planted until the rose has established itself. Climbing roses that bloom frequently and clematis from pruning group 3 (e.g. Viticella group) go well together.

Our gardening tip: Note that clematis need a “shady foot”. We therefore recommend that you plant a bushy perennial in front of the climber or use bark mulch to ensure cooler conditions.