Perfect Rose Companions: 7 Plant Partners for Healthier, More Beautiful Roses

Companion planting means certain plants should grow together to create a beautiful, healthy garden. When choosing companions for roses, match sun and water requirements first, then choose for beauty.

I've compiled classic pairings and some unusual ones you may not have considered. USDA zones are given, but look for similar substitutions if one falls outside your range.

1. Shrubs and Evergreens

Shrubs, trees, and evergreens provide winter structure when flowers are scarce.

Choose formal hedging like boxwood (Buxus spp., zones 5–9) and holly (Ilex spp., zones 4–9), or loosen up with abelia (Abelia spp., zones 6–9), viburnum (Viburnum spp., zones 2–8), and nandina (Nandina spp., zones 6–11).

Similar leaf size and color reads formal; varied sizes and colors feel informal.

Shown: Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla japonica)

2. Ornamental Grasses

An unexpected pairing that works beautifully. Roses' smaller leaves and color pop contrast with grasses' softer, free-form appearance.

Try larger grasses like maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis, zones 5–9) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, zones 5–9), or smaller ones like Mexican feathergrass (Stipa tenuissima, zones 7–10), blue fescue (Festuca glauca, zones 4–11), and sedges (Carex spp., zones 4–9).

Note: Some grasses like Mexican feathergrass can be invasive in parts of the U.S. Verify recommendations for your area.

Shown: Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus')

3. Flowering Perennials

Countless flowering perennials pair well with roses. Choose flowers that complement rather than compete—look for different forms, leaf types, and bloom colors and shapes.

Good options: daylily (Hemerocallis spp., zones 3–9), verbena (Verbena spp., zones 5–10), bellflower (Campanula spp., zones 5–8), delphinium (Delphinium spp., zones 3–7), iris (Iris spp., zones 3–9), and salvia (Salvia spp., zones 4–11).

4. Foliage Plants

Many foliage plants also flower, but it's the leaves that shine.

Look for hostas (Hosta spp., zones 3–9), heuchera (Heuchera spp., zones 4–9), lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4–9), Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus, zones 9–11), and coleus (Solenostemon spp., zones 10–11). Their stunning leaf shapes, colors, and sizes play off roses' recognizable form.

Shown: Hosta spp. and hydrangeas

Shown: Catmint and New Zealand flax

5. Herbs

I love combining edible herbs with roses—especially when they're beautiful too.

Shown: Lavender and basil

Nearly any herb works if sun and water needs match, but favorites include lavender (Lavandula spp., zones 5–10), yarrow (Achillea millefolium, zones 3–10), rue (Ruta graveolens, zones 6–11), feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, zones 4–9), catmint (Nepeta spp., zones 4–8), parsley (Petroselinum crispum, zones 5–8), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris, zones 4–9).

Shown: Lavender and society garlic

6. Architectural Plants

These have distinct, strong forms—the perfect foil for classic, exuberant roses.

Shown: New Zealand flax and pygmy date palm

Crazy but incredible options: bamboo (Bambusa spp., zones 5–11), palms (Arecaceae spp., zones 1–11), agaves (Agave spp., zones 5–11), yuccas (Yucca spp., zones 4–11), and large strappy perennials like New Zealand flax (Phormium spp., zones 7–11).

When combining roses with drought-tolerant choices like agaves and yuccas, ensure both tolerate the same water. Some roses, like Knock Outs, are more drought tolerant than you'd think.

Note: With bamboo, choose clumping varieties, not runners, or you'll have an invasive mess.

7. Vines and Ground Covers

If using shrub roses 2 to 6 feet tall, your eye gravitates to the midrange—missing planting opportunities above and below.

Flowering vines overhead and ground covers at the base are perfect bookends.

Vines to consider: passion vine (Passiflora spp., zones 6–10), moonflower (Ipomoea alba, zones 9–11), sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius, zones 6–9), clematis (Clematis spp., zones 4–11), wisteria (Wisteria spp., zones 3–8), and jasmine (Jasminum spp., zones 6–10).

Shown: Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis 'Alba')

Great ground covers: lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4–9), verbena (Verbena spp.), and woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus, zones 4–8).

Shown: Lamb's ears