Evergreen Roses: The Best Companion Plants For Your Roses

Evergreen roses are a beautiful addition to any garden, providing year-round interest with their lush foliage and fragrant blooms. But did you know that planting companion plants with your evergreen roses can help to improve their health and appearance?

Companion planting is the practice of planting different types of plants together in order to benefit each other. When chosen wisely, companion plants can help to deter pests and diseases, attract beneficial insects, and improve the overall health and productivity of your roses.

Here are some of the best companion plants for evergreen roses:

• Lavender: Lavender is a classic companion plant for roses, and for good reason. It has a strong fragrance that deters pests like aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles. Lavender also helps to improve the drainage of soil around roses, which can help to prevent root rot.
• Catmint: Catmint is another great companion plant for roses. It has a similar fragrance to lavender, and it also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. Catmint is a hardy plant that can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions, making it a good choice for growing near roses.
• Geraniums: Geraniums are a versatile companion plant that can be grown in a variety of conditions. They come in a wide range of colors and sizes, so you can easily find one that complements your roses. Geraniums help to suppress weeds and improve the drainage of soil around roses. They also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
• Yarrow: Yarrow is a hardy perennial that is easy to care for. It has attractive flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall. Yarrow helps to repel pests like aphids and spider mites, and it also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
• Alyssum: Alyssum is a low-growing annual that is perfect for filling in the spaces between roses. It has delicate white, pink, or purple flowers that bloom all summer long. Alyssum helps to suppress weeds and improve the drainage of soil around roses. It also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

In addition to these plants, there are many other companion plants that can benefit evergreen roses. When choosing companion plants, it is important to consider the specific needs of your roses and the conditions in your garden. Some factors to keep in mind include:

• Plants that have similar water and sunlight requirements: Evergreen roses need full sun and well-drained soil. Companion plants should have similar water and sunlight requirements in order to thrive in the same conditions.
• Plants that deter pests and diseases: Some companion plants have natural insecticidal or fungicidal properties. These plants can help to protect your roses from pests and diseases.
• Plants that attract beneficial insects: Beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and lacewings help to control pests. Companion plants that attract these insects can help to keep your roses healthy.

By planting companion plants with your evergreen roses, you can help to create a healthy and thriving garden. With a little planning, you can find the perfect companion plants to complement your roses and improve their beauty and productivity.

Evergreen companion plants for roses can add year-round beauty and interest to your garden. Some popular choices include:

• Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens): This classic shrub is known for its dense, glossy foliage. It can be trimmed into formal shapes or allowed to grow naturally.
• Holly (Ilex spp.): Evergreen hollies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small shrubs to large trees. They offer bright berries in winter and provide food for birds.
• Senecio cineraria (Dusty Miller): This silvery-leaved plant is a low-growing groundcover that can be used to fill in the spaces between roses. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): The fragrant lavender plant is a popular choice for companion planting with roses. It helps to repel pests and diseases, and its purple flowers add a touch of elegance to the garden.
• Catmint (Nepeta spp.): This blue-flowered plant is another good choice for companion planting with roses. It is also deer-resistant and helps to attract beneficial insects.

For more information about evergreen companion plants for roses, please visit Gardenia Inspiration. This website provides detailed information about different types of plants, as well as tips on how to plant and care for them.

FAQ of evergreen companion plants for roses

• What are the best evergreen companion plants for roses?

Some of the best evergreen companion plants for roses include:

• Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant herb that can help deter pests and attract pollinators. It also has a similar growth habit to roses, so it can help fill in empty spaces in your rose bed.

• Catmint: Catmint is another fragrant herb that can help deter pests. It also has attractive blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer.

• Yarrow: Yarrow is a hardy perennial that can tolerate dry conditions. It has daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of white, yellow, and pink.

• Hardy geraniums: Hardy geraniums are low-growing plants that can help suppress weeds and provide a living mulch for your roses. They come in a variety of colors, so you can find one that complements your roses.

• Hollyhocks: Hollyhocks are tall, upright plants that can help add height and structure to your rose bed. They have large, showy flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, and white.

• What are the benefits of planting evergreen companion plants with roses?

There are several benefits to planting evergreen companion plants with roses. These plants can help:

• Deter pests: Some evergreen companion plants, such as lavender and catmint, have strong scents that can deter pests such as aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles.

• Attract pollinators: Many evergreen companion plants, such as yarrow and hollyhocks, attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These pollinators help to pollinate your roses, which can lead to more blooms.

• Suppress weeds: Some evergreen companion plants, such as hardy geraniums and catmint, can help suppress weeds by crowding them out.

• Provide a living mulch: Evergreen companion plants can help provide a living mulch for your roses. This helps to keep the soil moist and cool, which can help to improve the health of your roses.

• Add interest and beauty: Evergreen companion plants can add interest and beauty to your rose bed throughout the year. They can provide color, texture, and height, and they can help to fill in empty spaces.

• How far apart should evergreen companion plants be planted from roses?

The distance at which you should plant evergreen companion plants from roses will vary depending on the size of the plants. In general, you should plant smaller plants, such as hardy geraniums and catmint, about 12 inches away from roses. Larger plants, such as lavender and hollyhocks, should be planted about 24 inches away from roses.

• What are some other factors to consider when choosing evergreen companion plants for roses?

When choosing evergreen companion plants for roses, you should consider the following factors:

• The size of the plants: Make sure to choose plants that are compatible with the size of your roses. You don't want to plant a large plant next to a small rose, as it will eventually outgrow the rose and crowd it out.
• The sun exposure: Roses need full sun, so you should choose companion plants that also need full sun.
• The soil type: Roses prefer well-drained soil, so you should choose companion plants that also prefer well-drained soil.
• The climate: Make sure to choose companion plants that are hardy in your climate zone.
• Your personal preferences: Consider the colors, textures, and heights of the plants when making your selection.

Image of evergreen companion plants for roses

5 different images of evergreen companion plants for roses from Pinterest:

1. Boxwood is a dense, evergreen shrub that can provide structure and contrast to roses. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and is relatively low-maintenance.
2. Holly is another evergreen shrub that can be a good companion plant for roses. It has glossy, dark green leaves and red berries that provide winter interest. Holly is also tolerant of shade and can help to protect roses from harsh sun.
3. Laurel is a hardy evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall. It has glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant flowers. Laurel is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and is relatively pest- and disease-resistant.
4. Spirea is a deciduous shrub that blooms in the spring with white, pink, or purple flowers. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. Spirea is a good companion plant for roses because it helps to attract pollinators and can help to suppress weeds.
5. Viburnum is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the spring with white or pink flowers. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. Viburnum is a good companion plant for roses because it helps to attract pollinators and can help to suppress weeds.