Re: Companion Plants for Roses

Robin:

 

This is one list I didn't have.  So I started putting one together.  Here's my first shot.

 

But let me first say that there's a reason I didn't have a list.  First, good rosarians frown on planting ANYTHING around roses.  Call it purity of passion or cultural focus.

 

Second, and speaking of cultural focus, roses require MUCH more water and care (including fertilizer) than typical Mediterranean plants need or want.  In fact, most Meds resent such treatment, if you know what I mean.

 

So, with that said, here's an attempt at "companion" plants in a Mediterranean environment...

 

 

Annuals

 

Ageratum

Cleome

Cosmos sulphureus

Dianthus barbatus

Nasturtium

Nicotiana

Nigella

Ornamental Sweet Potato

Pansies

Petunias (esp. Old-fashioned types)

Portulaca

Purslane

Salvia farinacea

Salvia splendens

Torenia

Verbena

 

 

Perennials

 

Agastache

Artemisia ‘Silver Mound’

Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

Geranium

Hemerocallis

Nepeta (catmints)

Nierembergia

Scabiosa

Stachys byzantina

Tulbaghia

Verbena

 

 

Groundcovers

 

Ajuga reptans

Artemisia stelleriana

Stachys byzantina

Thymus

 

 

Herbs

 

Bronze Fennel

Chamomile

Chives

Curly parsley

Lavender

Rosemary (esp. ‘Boule’ and any trailing type)

Sage

Thymes

 

 

Vines

 

Asarina antirrhinifolia

Clematis cirrhosa

Clematis viticella

Sollya parviflora

 

 

Bulbs

(that grow in summer or tolerate summer watering when dormant)

 

Babiana

Canna generalis

Chasmanthe

Crocosmia

Dahlia x hybrida

Freesia

Gladiolus

Gladiolus tristis

Habranthus robustus

Hymenocallis

Ixia

Polianthes tuberose

Schizostylis coccinea

Sparaxis

Tritonia

Watsonia

Zephyranthes

 

 

Joe
robin corwin <gardenwithkitties@hotmail.com> wrote:

Dear Medit Planters,

I have a question I hope you will consider answering. I am looking for a
list of wonderful companion plants for roses in southern California medit
climate gardens. We like to grow roses as parts of the garden rather than
separately, so companion plants are a necessity. They also help hide the
roses ugly bottoms (on the hybrid teas) or form a backdrop, or complement
the colors or create color echoes.

What are your favorite rose companions - for all seasons of the year. I
like nepeta and scabiosa and some hardy geraniums (sanguineum 'Album' is a
nice one you only need to shear repeatedly for constant bloom) but I'm
looking for more candidates.

Please help!

Many thanks,

Robin Corwin
Studio City, California
Zone 9/10, Sunset Zone 21



Joe Seals
Santa Maria, C! alifornia --
where the weather is always perfect
and my NEW garden will soon be blooming and full of birds and butterflies

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