In discussing companion plants for roses, Sonia Uyterhoeven summarizes the rationale behind plant selection by writing, "There are several considerations when choosing suitable plant companions: aesthetics, growing conditions, and plant health. Plant companions should both look good together and require similar growing conditions." Uyterhoeven, Gardener for Public Education at The New York Botanical Garden, elaborates on the consideration of plant health by advising us to select "companions that ward off pests, improve the soil, or in other ways have a beneficial effect on plant health."
Lavender is an example of a plant companion for roses that could potentially help out roses in a number of ways. Have problems with the bottoms of your roses becoming leggy? Planting lavender next to your roses can provide a screen for their unsightly bottoms. Meanwhile, lavender's silver leaves "accentuate the sumptuous rose blossoms," as Uyterhoeven observes. Finally, the smell of fragrant plants such as lavender may actually ward off some insect pests from your roses.
Some of Uyterhoeven's other top selections are listed on About.com's Gardening site, in an article on plant companions for roses.
Now that you have some ideas for plant companions for roses, maybe you'd like to add to your rose collection? Vanessa Richins, About.com Guide to Trees and Shrubs, presents the Top 10 New Roses of the 2000s.
Related resources:
Companion Planting
Rose Bushes
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