Growing Companion Plants with Roses: A Practical Guide

Can Other Plants Share a Rose Bed?

Many gardeners wonder whether growing other flowers alongside roses is harmful. The answer depends on spacing and bed type. If rose bushes are spaced at least two and a half feet apart, companion plants can be introduced. This also works at the edges of beds bordered by stone paving, but not where grass surrounds the roses.

Establishing Roses First

Newly planted roses need freedom from root competition to establish properly. Before adding companions, ensure the soil can supply adequate nutrients for all plants.

Best Companion Choices

Bulbous Flowers

Early-flowering tulips are ideal—they bloom before roses put on significant growth. Avoid Darwin tulips, which attract aphids that may spread to roses. Anemones also thrive in the rich soil of a rose bed.

Violas and Pansies

These are excellent companions; their colors are never overwhelming and varieties can be chosen to match any color scheme.

Plants to Avoid

Perennials are unwise because they must be cleared in autumn for soil cultivation and manure incorporation. If you want dwarf annuals that don't transplant well, sow seeds near short marker sticks, thinning to one or two plants per spot, with at least nine inches between sticks.