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Re: Underplanting Roses . . .

At 11:05 AM 7/28/98 +1000, Susan.George@dhs.vic.gov.au wrote:
>     I have just picked up my order of bare rooted roses (mainly species 
>     with good hips and so-called old fashion types such as Commandant 
>     Beaurepaire, Reines des Violettes, Honerine de Brabant, Prince Camille 
>     de Rohan, Fisher Holmes, R. 'Single Cherry, R. sweginzowii macrocarpa, 
>     R. fedtschenkoana, R. willmottiae and R. moschata 'Semi Plena')
>     
>     The question is what to underplant them with?
>     
>     I have tried Dianthus, Nepeta, and hardy Geraniums all to good effect - 
>     but does anyone else have some more innovative and unusual suggestions?

Hi Susan - 

Here are some (perhaps not very innovative) ideas:

Stachys lanata (byzantina), the Lamb's Ears is always a good choice under
roses in my view, especially the 'non-flowering' form or the smaller
old-fashioned clones.  We have a golden-tinted form called 'Heronswood
Primrose' from that mail order nursery in Seattle - nice pale green/soft
yellow leaves with the silvery overlay of hairs.  The light color of
this plant is a nice foil rich or pale roses.  I also grow a handsome
Sedum species (as yet unknown) that is of similar color.  It is a blue-grey
tone, with many narrow, pointed leaves clothing the stems.  I've heard it
call 'Blue Spruce' as its stems bear a supericial resemblance.  In my
northern garden, it is just now finishing flowering - umbels of bright
yellow flowers held just above the low mat of foliage.  Teucrium
chamaedrys prostratus, a very under utilized ground cover, also in my
own garden is another nice choice.  The dark foliage mat is only inches
tall, vigorous, drought tolerant, and topped with tiny spikes of rose
purple flowers in spring.  Some of the lowest Lavandulas can make nice
underplantings.  Thymus sp. have various heights, all of which should be
quite low enough and certainly complimentary with roses.  A clone in
our area, Thymus 'Lime', is a great chartreuse green which is a good
color choice for the reds, pink, and mauves of roses.  Many of these
would especially be happy with the addition of stepping stones or pavers
where they could get their roots into the cool and relativly moist area
underneath.  Tiny Johnny-jump-up Violas (there are various small-flowered
types in a range of colors) are also classics for pairing with roses
in my mind.

I hope this give you some ideas you haven't thought of previously.
Good luck!

Sean O.

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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