🌹 11 What To Plant With Roses

Okay, so you’ve got roses. Gorgeous, right? But sometimes, just a bed of roses can feel a little… intense. Like that one friend who always wears a ballgown to brunch – fabulous, but maybe needs a cute accessory or two. Good news, darling, your roses are about to get some serious glow-up companions. We’re talking plant pairings that make your garden look like it walked straight off a Pinterest board, all while keeping those pesky aphids guessing.

Forget the solo act. We’re about to dive into eleven fantastic friends for your fabulous roses, turning your garden into the envy of the neighborhood. Get ready to elevate your rose game from “pretty” to “absolutely breathtaking.”

1. Lavender

This one is practically a cliché, but for all the right reasons. Lavender just screams “cottage garden chic” when nestled near a rose bush. Its aromatic foliage is a natural pest deterrent, keeping those annoying critters away from your precious petals.

Plus, the soft purple hues of English lavender create a dreamy contrast with almost any rose color. Just make sure your lavender gets plenty of sun and well-drained soil, as it’s not a fan of soggy feet. This pairing is basically a match made in heaven for low-maintenance beauty and pest control.

2. Catmint (Nepeta)

If lavender feels a bit too formal, meet its cooler, more laid-back cousin, catmint. This superstar blooms for ages, creating a soft, hazy purple cloud around the base of your roses. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant once established and pretty much laughs in the face of neglect.

Catmint is brilliant for attracting beneficial pollinators like bees, which is a win for your whole garden, not just the roses. Snip it back after its first flush to encourage a second round of blooms, and watch it fill out those awkward empty spaces with effortless grace. It’s like the comfy sweater to your rose’s fancy dress.

3. Alliums

Want to add some architectural drama and keep pests on their toes? Alliums are your secret weapon. Those tall, spherical blooms pop up in spring, creating a striking contrast to the more traditional rose form. They look like garden fireworks, honestly.

Their oniony scent (which you barely notice unless you’re practically sniffing the leaves) is a fantastic deterrent for aphids and other common rose pests. Plant the bulbs in autumn, and they’ll emerge just in time to give your early roses a stylish backdrop. Talk about a grand entrance.

4. Geraniums (Cranesbill)

We’re talking about the perennial kind here, not the annuals in pots. These groundcover heroes are fantastic for knitting together your rose beds, suppressing weeds, and keeping the soil cool. They come in a dazzling array of colors and leaf textures, from deep purples to vibrant blues.

Their sprawling habit fills in gaps beautifully, preventing that “bare legs” look some roses can get. Opt for varieties like ‘Rozanne’ for continuous blooms or ‘Max Frei’ for a compact carpet of color. They’re basically the comfy throw blanket your roses didn’t know they needed.

5. Salvia

For a vertical accent that isn’t too overpowering, salvia is an absolute gem. These spiky beauties offer a fantastic upright counterpoint to the more rounded rose bushes. They come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and even red, meaning there’s a salvia for every rose palette.

Many varieties are super attractive to hummingbirds and bees, bringing more life to your garden. Prune them back after their first bloom to encourage a second, equally impressive show. They’re the energetic backup dancers to your rose’s lead singer.

6. Delphinium

If you’re aiming for that classic English cottage garden vibe, you simply must invite delphiniums to the party. Their towering spires, often in breathtaking blues, purples, and whites, provide incredible vertical interest and a dramatic backdrop for your roses. They make everything look more established and grand.

They do love a rich soil and a bit of staking, especially in windy areas, but the payoff is worth the effort. Imagine a vibrant pink rose against a backdrop of electric blue delphiniums – pure magic. It’s like adding a cathedral to your garden landscape.

7. Yarrow (Achillea)

Don’t sleep on yarrow. This tough-as-nails perennial is a true workhorse, especially if you’re looking for something drought-tolerant and beneficial to pollinators. Its flat-topped flower clusters come in shades of yellow, pink, red, and white, offering a different texture to the garden.

Yarrow is known to attract ladybugs and other beneficial insects, which are natural predators of aphids. Plus, it just looks effortlessly cool and a little wild, giving your rose beds a naturalistic edge. It’s the low-key, cool friend who always has your back.

8. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

For a touch of understated elegance and incredible foliage, lady’s mantle is a dream. Its scalloped, velvety leaves beautifully catch morning dew, creating sparkling droplets that look like tiny jewels. It forms a lovely mound at the base of roses, softening the edges of a bed.

In early summer, it produces frothy sprays of chartreuse-yellow flowers that are surprisingly delightful. It’s perfect for adding texture and a calming presence without competing for attention. Think of it as the exquisite silk scarf that completes the outfit.

9. Dianthus (Pinks)

For a charming, old-fashioned feel and a sweet, clove-like fragrance, dianthus are your go-to. These low-growing beauties form neat mounds of grassy foliage, topped with frilly flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. They create a delightful border around your roses.

They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, just like roses, making them perfect companions. Their compact size means they won’t compete with your roses for resources, but they’ll certainly add a lovely touch of color and perfume. They’re like tiny, fragrant cheerleaders for your roses.

10. Foxglove (Digitalis)

Another classic for height and drama, foxgloves bring a fairy-tale quality to any garden. Their tall, bell-shaped flowers, often speckled inside, are magnificent when planted behind or among roses. They love a bit of shade at their feet, making them ideal for the slightly shadier spots under taller rose bushes.

Just remember, all parts of foxglove are poisonous if ingested, so plant them where curious pets or children won’t be tempted. But for sheer visual impact and a touch of whimsical grandeur, they are unparalleled. They’re the tall, mysterious stranger in the garden.

11. Sweet Alyssum

If you want to create a living carpet of fragrant, beneficial insect-attracting blooms at the feet of your roses, sweet alyssum is your tiny titan. These low-growing annuals produce masses of delicate white, pink, or purple flowers that spill over edges and fill every bare inch of soil.

They attract hoverflies and other beneficial insects that prey on aphids, making them excellent pest patrol. Plus, their honey-like scent is just divine. They’re easy to grow from seed or starts and will politely reseed themselves for next year. It’s the perfect, pretty groundcover that works hard too.

Conclusion

See? Your roses don’t have to be solo divas, looking fabulous but a tad lonely. With these eleven stellar plant pairings, you can create a garden that’s not only visually stunning but also healthier and more vibrant. So go ahead, get playful, and start mixing and matching. Your roses (and your Instagram feed) will thank you for it.